€5m high-tech project to create 80 jobs

The Government has invested €5 million in a new high-tech communications project that could revolutionise the internet, it was announced today.

The first phase of the exemplar communications test bed will create up to 80 jobs, and will use technology developed by Irish company Intune Networks that could replace thousands of silicon computer chips used in internet switches.

The test bed, which is owned by the Government, will be available for research and development purposes by July and will be built in Parkwest Business Park in Dublin.

It is intended to help eliminate data bottlenecks on networks and reduce the amount of energy required.

"Our partnership with Intune is unique. Government is making the initial investment, will own the test-bed and will ensure it is operated on an open access basis, so that companies and universities can use the network for their own research and development," Minister for Communication Eamon Ryan.

"We are investing in ourselves, in our own ingenuity. We are betting on ourselves and in so doing helping to create the technology and jobs of tomorrow."

The network has already attracted attention from a number of companies and academic insitutions. Companies that have already begun discussions with the department include Eircom, EMC, Imagine, BT, IBM, ESB Telecom, Imagine, E-net, Firecomms, Opennet and Celtixconnect. Meanwhile, UCD, DCU, UCC Tyndall, NUI Galway and Science Foundation Ireland are also interested in using the technology.