Minister's Welcome
Less than a year ago Government first announced the intention to establish an Exemplar Smart Communications Network. The opening of the first phase of the Exemplar, the Test-bed phase, is truly a great achievement. This unique world-wide facility based on Irish developed cutting edge communications technology has the potential to create thousands of high-value jobs over the next few years. It has already raised Irelands International reputation as a technology leader. The publication of the Technology Actions Report in July 2009 featured 6 innovative actions of which the Exemplar is the lead action. I am happy to report that the other five actions are also at various stages of implementation all with Industry partners. The high-profile Irish case study based on these 6 actions was published in the Global ICT Report 2009-2010 of the World Economic Forum.
The jobs which arise from Phase 1 are relatively modest (80 by end 2011). However, the impact of the Exemplar Network over next 10 years is estimated to influence the creation of thousands of high value jobs. These will arise from products and services developed in association with the Exemplar. Examples include jobs associated with Cloud Computing /Advanced Data Centres; advanced communication devices tested and developed on the Exemplar; deliverance of high quality user-experience services (e.g. high- quality interactive video); facilitating a state of the art broadcast quality of Irish Performing Arts and other products and services (many unknown, yet to be developed) which will benefit from the competitive advantage which access to the Exemplar Network will bring.
In these challenging times I’m sure you will agree that what we see and hear will make a real contribution to restoring faith in Ireland’s ability at innovative development.
Requests for Access to the Exemplar Test-bed
Any companies or organisations who would like to be considered for access to the Exemplar Test-bed for testing and development of products or services should contact barry.mcsweeney@dcenr.gov.ie or brendan.whelan@dcenr.gov.ie