Posted: 24th May, 2010 By: MarkJ
Satellite internet provider
Avonline has joined BT , Google , Sky Broadband , TalkTalk and 194 others in becoming an official partner of the
Race Online 2012 initiative, which is run by the UK’s "
Digital Champion" Martha Lane Fox. The project seeks to get the UK as close as possible to being 100% online by the London Olympics.
To compliment this Avonline has launched a new service aimed at bringing affordable broadband to every property with an Integrated Reception System (IRS). IRS typically provides broadcast signals from multiple sources (terrestrial TV, FM/DAB radio, satellite TV etc.) to multiple outlets, via a single aerial cluster and signal booster-distributor. This is usually used in communal housing blocks.
With a patented technology transmitting broadband over coaxial cable, Avonline has successfully demonstrated their broadband over IRS product called
IRSnet. IRSnet delivers a secure broadband connection to every occupant of a multiple dwelling unit using the existing digital coaxial cable distribution system.
This new technology is primarily aimed at providing a safe and reliable broadband service into the properties which currently have one of the lowest broadband penetration segments in the market.
Mark Wynn, Managing Director of Avonline, said:
"We are very proud to be an official Race Online 2012 partner and be a part of this incredible cross-sector movement which will put an end to the digital divide forever. We are fully committed to supporting the councils and social landlords in providing services that will help inspire, educate and train the 4 million people in the UK who are currently offline."
To our knowledge the use of an IRS system to send broadband signals, often via a satellite dish on the roof or other type of wireless link, is not a completely new one. However in the absence of further technical details it is difficult to know quite what Avonline has announced. The "new" service will be demonstrated at the CIH Show in Harrogate on 22–24 June 2010.
Avonline had also made a commitment to provide basic training to any tenant who is connected through their IRSNet service to help them get started.