Connectivity via satellite with South West Broadband

The South West Regional Authority (Ireland) is holding a conference from 5 to 6 April entitled "Knowledge Based Regions in the Information Society - The Role of Broadband Technology in securing a vibrant eSociety".

The aim of the Conference is to look at the potential and usability of alternative technology in providing broadband connectivity to more rural and peripheral areas by drawing on national and international experience and understanding the emergence of new enabling technologies.

The issue of quality, reliable, affordable and available bandwidth is of huge concern in many parts of Ireland and indeed throughout the European Union and Canada.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission have decided to give joint consideration to the use of space-based technologies to help bridge 'the digital divide'. An initial action plan has been put in place to define society's needs and point to potential space-based answers.

The conference will address the following themes:

Infrastructure of National and Regional Broadband Rollout Programmes from across Europe

Policy Development to draw some recommendations for future policy relevant to National and EU developments, eEurope and eEurope.

Regulatory Issues

Applications reliant on Broadband Infrastructure

• mLearning and eEducation
• eBusiness
• eHealth
• eGovernment
• eCommunities

How to build, facilitate and sustain networked communities

International experience

• Economic Sustainability
• Remote / Networked Technology Centres
• eProcurement
• Wireless Towns and Cities

The event will be held in Killarney, County Kerry Ireland and hosted by the South West Regional Authority (SWRA), as part of its South West Broadband Initiative in association with ESA, the Education and Culture Commission (EDUC) of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the Irish Government. The conference will have simultaneous translation into 5 languages.

Anyone interested in these Broadband related issues is welcome to attend the conference by filling out a registration form. Space is limited to about 300 attendees who will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. To ensure a balance, attendance may be limited to one or two people per organisation depending on the number of registrations. Exhibition space will also be available to anyone interested.

An online registration form is available from the SWRA website. All documents and registration forms can also be downloaded from the same site.