Tag: #eir

eir Survey Highlights the Positive Social Impact of Gaming in Ireland Today

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, has today released the results of an online survey conducted with GamerFest attendees, ahead of Ireland’s premier gaming and esports festival, which kicks off this Saturday 19th October at the RDS, Dublin.

As the Official Network Partner for GamerFest for the third year, eir polled gamers over 18 years old to capture a snapshot of gaming culture in Ireland today. The survey results highlight the growing role of gaming in fostering social connections, promoting inclusivity, and reducing stress and anxiety among players.

Urban Gaming and Platform Preferences

The survey found that 60% of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 44, highlighting the broad appeal of gaming amongst adults. A significant 78% of gamers live in urban areas, solidifying the role of gaming as urban cultural phenomenon

When it comes to platform preferences, gaming consoles continue to dominate, with 61% of respondents choosing consoles over other platforms. PCs came in second, favoured by 24% of gamers, reflecting the continued popularity of console gaming in Ireland today.

The Social Impact of Gaming in Ireland Today

Social gaming also emerged as a significant trend, with 63% of participants enjoying gaming with others. Whether through multiplayer online games or in-person events like GamerFest, Irish players are increasingly using these platforms to socialise, form friendships and strengthen existing connections. While still popular with 31% of respondents, solo gaming is being outpaced by social gaming trends in Ireland. Furthermore, over 63% of respondents stated that gaming has helped them expand their social circle, while 68% said it helps them stay connected with friends and family. These findings illustrate gaming’s ability to strengthen and form new relationships both virtually and offline. Over 6,000 people are expected to attend GamerFest this weekend, showing how gaming communities are expanding across Ireland.

The survey also found that 86% of respondents reported that gaming helps reduce stress, while 71% said it alleviates anxiety. Moreover, 71% found that gaming helped them cope with feelings of isolation, showing that gaming plays an important role in supporting gamers’ wellbeing in Ireland today.

Inclusivity and Diversity in the Gaming Industry

Diversity remains a key area of growth within the gaming industry as highlighted by the survey. While  96% of respondents agree that gaming is inclusive and accessible to people from all backgrounds, 76% believe there is still a need for greater diversity in gaming content, underscoring the need for more representation in the industry.

Susan Brady, Managing Director of Consumer and Small Business in eir said:

“We’re excited to partner with GamerFest again this year and showcase the incredible gaming experience powered by eir’s 5G and fibre networks. These survey results confirm that gaming is not just a form of entertainment but a powerful medium for building communities and promoting inclusivity. At eir, we’re committed to supporting this culture by providing top-tier connectivity for gamers, whether they’re playing from home or on the go. Our high-speed Gigabit Broadband and 5G network ensure uninterrupted gameplay, making eir the best network for gamers in Ireland.”

Colm Roche, Director of Partnerships, GamerFest added:

We’re thrilled to be working with eir again this year to bring the best in gaming to Ireland. The festival is a testament to how gaming can bring people together, building communities, and create unforgettable experiences. With eir’s support and their industry-leading network GamerFest 2024 will be our best event yet, with over 6,000 gamers coming together to celebrate their shared passion.”

Powering the Future of Irish Gaming

GamerFest 2024 promises an action-packed weekend filled with gaming tournaments, tech showcases, and community-driven events. With eir’s sponsorship, attendees can look forward to uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity, keeping them online and engaged throughout the festival.

eir’s low-latency network ensures gamers’ actions are registered instantly, providing them with faster reaction times and an optimal gaming experience. With its industry-leading Gigabit Broadband network, offering speeds of up to 10GB per second and covering a record-breaking 1.2 million homes and businesses, or approximately 3 million people, across Ireland, eir is now the best network for gaming in the country.

Over the past four years eir has invested more than €1 billion in building world class connectivity infrastructure, enabling the build of Ireland’s largest Gigabit Fibre Network and Ireland’s best available 5G mobile network. eir has committed to investing an additional €1 billion to further expand its reach – to 1.9 million front doors, or 84% of homes and businesses in Ireland by 2026.

The eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards rewards and celebrates Irish female entrepreneurs

The fourth eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards launched with an inspiring networking event in eir’s HQ in Dublin, ahead of the awards which will take place on the 8th of November in the 5-star Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.

The event aims to shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of Irish female entrepreneurs, with over 110 women nominated across 12 diverse categories. The awards will also feature a special honour: the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, celebrating one standout leader in Irish business.

The launch brought together nominees, guests, and industry leaders for an engaging and informative panel discussion, moderated by Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business, and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing. Former award winners Helen Steele, Jennifer Rock, and Fiona Parfrey shared their experiences, offering advice on what it takes to succeed as a female entrepreneur in today’s competitive landscape.

Winners will be decided upon by a panel of judges made up of Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business; Lily O’Donoghue, eir’s SMB director; Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of Entrepreneur of the Year; Ruth O’Connor, journalist; Kathryn Thomas, broadcaster and businesswoman; Rebecca Brady, Commercial & Events Director of VIP Publishing; and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of VIP magazine.

The awards will see the return of eir as title sponsors for the third year, supported by a prestigious group of Irish and international category sponsors including Very, Weir & Sons, Suir Engineering, Kérastase, Boots, Dr Hauschka, AYA supplements, Uniphar, Penneys, Lindt and Tanqueray Gin.

 

Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award said: ““I am thrilled to be on the judging panel for this year’s eir VIP Publishing Power of Woman awards. To have won entrepreneur of the year in 2023 was such an honour. Awards like these are a great boost for women in business. A reminder to celebrate ourselves & others. I look forward to meeting more like minded, inspiring women at this year’s awards’’.

VIP Publishing’s Commercial & Events Director Rebecca Brady said: “VIP Publishing are thrilled to partner with eir and all of our fantastic sponsors to bring you the 4th annual Power of Women Awards. We  are delighted to see Irish and international businesses join forces to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ireland’s most remarkable female entrepreneurs. Women are the driving force behind all that we do at VIP Publishing and we are proud to provide a platform that highlights the passion and perseverance of Irish female entrepreneurs. We look forward to celebrating their achievements once again this year.’’

Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir Consumer and Small Business expressed her pride in hosting the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women nominee announcement at eir’s headquarters: “We are honoured to return as the title sponsor of the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of female entrepreneurs and business leaders across Ireland. These women are not only driving innovation and economic growth, but they are also creating lasting positive change in society.

At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland, and our role in supporting small businesses – by providing the connectivity and solutions they need to grow and thrive – directly aligns with the spirit of these awards. By shining a light on the incredible contributions of female business leaders, we hope to inspire the next generation of women to lead with innovation, create stronger communities, and build a more inclusive future for all.”

Categories are as follows:

Digital & Tech – Sponsored by eir

Máirín Murray and Vicky Twomey-Lee (TechFoundHer)

Rena Maycock (Chirp)

Tammy Darcy (Shona Project)

Clare McSweeney (KuulPlay)

Niamh Donnelly (Akara Robotics)

Anna Carmody (Little Red Edu)

Rosanne Longmore (Coroflo)

Deirdre Lyons (Examifly)

Fashion Retail – Sponsored by Lindt

Emma Manley (Manley)

Lucy Nagle (Lucy Nagle)

Faye Rochford (FéRí)

Laura Weber (LW Pearl)

Aoife McNamara (Aoife McNamara)

Rosie Connolly (4th Arq)

Fiona Heaney (FeeG)

Lisa McGowan (Lisa & Co)

Beauty Industry – Sponsored by Uniphar

Linda Stintson (Bellamianta)

Kerry Hanaphy (Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic)

Liz Dwyer & Nikki Dwyer (Future of Beauty)

Dr Emma Cunningham (Dr Emma Skincare)

Vanessa Gomez (Essences Day Spa)

Agnes Rafal (HOMEface yoga by agnes)

Anna Forde (Haumea)

Noelle O’Connor( TanOrganic and VeganTan)

Hair Care – Sponsored by Kérastase

Denise Phillips (PELO/Voduz)

Anita Donohue (Annutri)

Claire Balding /Fullam (Remi)

Nancy Cavanagh (Belle Hair Extensions)

Helen Reavey (Act+Acre)

Stephanie Nwambu (Callah Crowns)

Aine Kennedy (Smooth Stick)

Mairead Ronan (Faro)

Cosmetics & Skin Care – Sponsored by Boots

Charlene Flanagan & Niamh Ryan (Ella & Jo)

Niamh Hogan (Holos Skincare)

Dr. Helena McMahon (Seabody)

Una McGurk (Seoulista Beauty)

Sonia Deasy (Pestle & Mortar)

Susie O’Neill (AYU Cosmetics)

Geraldine Jones (Skin Formulas)

Michelle Regazzoli Stone (MRS Glam)

Communications

Valerie Roe (Valerie Roe PR)

Rebecca Burrell (Burrell Marketing and Publicity)

Hannah Saunders (Hannah Saunders PR)

Sonia Harris (Harris PR)

Lindsey Holmes (Lindsey Holmes Publicity)

Rachel Sherry (Sherry Communications)

Tara O’Connor (Tara O’Connor Consulting)

Kerryann Conway (The Hive Agency)

Creative – Sponsored by Dr. Hauschka

Audrey Hamilton (Audrey Hamilton Art)

Orla de Brí (Orla de Brí)

Ciara & Rachel Howard (Howrad Studios)

Jenny McCarthy (By Jenny McCarthy)

Clíodhna Doherty (Clíodhna Doherty Art)

Heather Condren (Flowerpop)

Jenny Buckley & Carol Gunner (Tamber Media)

Deirdre Young & Sinead Bailey Kelly (H&G Creations)

Lifestyle – Sponsored by VERY

Una Leonard (2210 Patisserie)

Lucy Hagerty (La Bougie)

Portia Quinn & Robin Thompson (Harley & Marley)

Natasha Rocca Devine (NRD Designs)

Adrienne Heslin (West Kerry Brewery)

Laura Bonner (Muff Liquor Company)

Sadie Chowen (Burren Perfumery)

Barikisu Ali Telfer (Sahara.ie)

New Founder – Sponsored by Weir & Sons

Suzy Griffin (Hildun Beauty)

Ngozi Elobuike (Hi Spirits Wine Club)

Olivia Humphries (Athena)

Destiny Ayo Vaughan (Mind The Gap)

Evie and Eliza Ward (NutShed)

Ellie Haughney (Anam Cosmetics)

Shona Mahon (Speedy Lash / Wink With Mink)

Susan Fox & Carly Colgan (Ealu)

Wellness – Sponsored by AYA 

Kylie O’Donoghue (FemFuelz )

Laura Dowling (fabÜ)

Orla Hopkins (New Dimensions Active)

Audrey O’Connor (CoreState)

Kira Walton (Voya)

Maura Rath (Yoga with Maura)

Gráinne Byrne (Norma)

Shawna Scott (Sex Siopa)

Sustainability – Sponsored by Suir Engineering

Nicky & Ella Dwyer (Drobey)

Ella de Guzman (Siopaella)

Sarah Fliessbach (Share Club)

Fiona Fahy (Feed Me Mother)

Jess Dollinger (The Good Neighbour)

Aisling Cullen (Thanks Plants)

Nicola Connelly (Nunaïa)

Fran Fogarty (Lily Mais)

Accesories

Julie Peelo (Peelo)

Lyndsey Cavanagh (One Dame Lane)

Lisa Ruttledge (Fabulisa)

Sallyann Concannon (Mettle & Bloom)

Suzanne Jackson, Terrie McEvoy & Siobhan Murray (MANTRA Official)

Nicki Hoyne (Nicki Hoyne)

Margaret Urbanowicz (Sómas)

Megan Nolan (MNW Design)

 

 

Nokia and eir to extend IP collaboration to support growing customer base for new services across Ireland

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, and Nokia today announced the extension of its IP collaboration to support the evolving needs and expectations of its customers with access to world-class technology and connectivity solutions.

The agreement will see eir introduce the latest 400/800GE IP backbone for larger capacity to meet future traffic growth and Nokia’s 7750 Service Router, powered by Nokia’s in-house routing silicon, FP5, for greater flexibility, power efficiency and security. This move will support eir’s commitment to provide the most reliable and unparalleled connectivity and service to every corner of Ireland.

Fergal McCann, Chief Technology Officer at eir, said: “This announcement further supports our strategy to ‘Connect for a Better Ireland’, enabling access to the latest technology and fastest speeds and to grow our network capacity to meet continued customer and traffic growth. eir is delighted to continue to grow its collaboration with Nokia for IP Network Infrastructure delivering future-proof and highly reliable network technology for our customers.”

Phil Siveter

Phil Siveter, CEO, UK and Ireland at Nokia, said: “eir has been a strategic customer for Nokia’s Network Infrastructure business for many years with our IP collaboration starting more than 15 years ago. We are delighted to extend our reach to include our latest IP routing technology and solutions to further support eir’s commitment to the quality of its services across Ireland now and in the future.”

Resources and additional information
Webpage: 7750 Service Router
Webpage: FP5 Network Processor Technology

Mobile data usage surges during weekend events in Ireland

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, announced a milestone that they carried over 50 terabytes (TB) of data across its event mobile sites last weekend as a series of high-profile events took place across Ireland.

From the excitement of the Longitude Festival to the spectacular Taylor Swift at the Aviva and Shania Twain concerts at Malahide, the vibrant Dublin Pride Parade, the family-friendly Kaleidoscope Festival, and the iconic matches at Croke Park, eir’s network delivered seamless connectivity to thousands of customers.

To put this achievement in perspective, 50 TB of data is the equivalent of streaming 50,000 hours of video, which translates to non-stop watching for over five years.

On Sunday night, during Taylor Swift’s concert, twice as much data was carried over the eir mobile network compared to the Six Nations decider at the Aviva Stadium on March 16th, both of which were sold-out events. This highlights the significant difference in mobile data usage between Swifties and rugby fans.

Additionally, the data usage during the Taylor Swift concert was double that of the FAI Cup final in November and triple that of the Leinster versus Munster game in the same month. The surge in data usage was primarily driven by extensive video recording, sharing, and live streaming activities.

Fergal McCann, Chief Technology Officer at eir, commented on this achievement, stating, “The deployment of 5G technology and the addition of new mobile sites across the country have been crucial in handling the surge in data usage during these events. The Taylor Swift concerts alone showcased significant usage patterns, with fans live streaming and sharing their experiences. Compared to other major events like Six Nations games, the data usage was exceptionally high, demonstrating the growing demand for robust and reliable mobile connectivity.”

eir unveils first major brand refresh in nearly a decade with new ‘eir for all’ identity

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, has unveiled ‘eir for all’ a new modern, inclusive and accessible brand identity.

The company has invested €2 million in this new ‘eir for all’ identity representing a major transformation for the business, following its €1.2 billion five-year investment in Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure and the transformation of eir’s customer experience. This is eir’s first new identity since its rebrand from Eircom in 2015.

Bridging eir’s heritage with its pivotal role in contemporary Irish society, ‘eir for all’ underscores the company’s enduring commitment to enhancing connections across Ireland. Highlighting eir’s integral presence in communities and its mission to facilitate stronger, more meaningful connections for a better Ireland. Through ‘eir for all’ the company showcases its efforts in fostering inclusivity and accessibility, reinforcing its vision of a connected community where everyone can thrive.

The new brand identity was unveiled to more than 3,000 eir staff at events in eir’s Dublin HQ today, in four care hubs across Sligo, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, and with staff in retail stores and in the field. It will be phased in through the company’s operations starting from today and will also feature via TV and online advertising, out of home advertising, stores, websites, and digital platforms.

‘eir for all’, will also feature prominently in eir’s national sponsorships and community partnerships, including as one of the title sponsors of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, GamerFest, and as long term supporters of Special Olympics Ireland.

The launch of ‘eir for all’ coincides with unique data showing how eir is delivering more meaningful connections across Ireland

  • In the past 12 months fixed broadband increased by 24.9%. This increase is equal to 127 billion hours gaming, 7.5 billion hours video chat, 1.3 billion hours film streaming or 390 billion songs streamed
  • Over the past 12 months, on average, each household used 8.1 hours of HD video per day and Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week.
  • Over the past 12 months 5G Data Traffic has increased some 110% and Data Traffic is up
  • Last month, St. Brigid’s Festival of Light in Dundalk saw a 3TB surge in local data traffic in Dundalk town centre celebrating the St. Brigid’s festivities Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week

The new ‘eir for all’ brand identity profiles individual people, families and communities across Ireland demonstrating how eir’s technology helps people connect for a better Ireland. They include a TikTok performer, a young hurler, a Special Olympics athlete, a family of gamers and a group of surfers among others.  Please click here for more detail: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=eir+for+all

The new ‘eir for all’ brand identity follows a year of significant achievements across all eir’s operations. eir has passed more than 1.2 million homes and businesses across Ireland with future-proofed fibre to the home broadband network. This makes it possible for more than 3 million people throughout Ireland to access the latest technology and fastest download speeds to enhance how they live and work. As part of its new brand identity, eir has also invested €4 million refurbishing 21 stores on high streets and in retail parks.

Addressing eir colleagues, Susan Brady, Managing Director, Consumer and Small Business, eir, said;“We are delighted to introduce ‘eir for all’ our new consumer-focused brand proposition that marks a significant milestone in our journey as Ireland’s leading telecommunications company. This initiative underscores our dedication to redefining connectivity across the nation, ensuring every individual has access to seamless, world-class technology and connectivity solutions. Our commitment extends beyond infrastructure to creating an inclusive, effortless experience for our over two million customers daily. ‘eir for all’ embodies our vision of a modern connected Ireland, reinforcing our pledge to enhance Ireland’s digital landscape and make superior connectivity accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstances. As we continue to expand Ireland’s largest high-speed fibre and leading 5G networks, we remain grateful for the unwavering support of our employees, partners, and customers who share in our mission for a better-connected Ireland.”

 

Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir commented on today’s announcement: “Over the past five years, eir has embarked on a transformative journey, investing over €1.2 billion in expanding and enhancing Ireland’s fibre and mobile network infrastructure. This significant investment underscores our commitment to providing the most reliable and extensive connectivity across the nation. Moreover, we’ve made a deliberate move to onshore and establish a new care function, ensuring our customers receive the highest quality of service. Today, hundreds of our directly employed staff in our Care Hubs in Sligo, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford are dedicated to caring for our customers. This strategic shift towards improving our infrastructure and customer care underlines our dedication to not just meeting, but exceeding, the evolving needs and expectations of our customers. It’s in this spirit of transformation and commitment to excellence that we chose to reposition and revitalise the eir brand, making a clear statement that we are here for all, committed to delivering unparalleled connectivity and service to every corner of Ireland.”

 

Following Success of the Care Line, eir Launches Age Friendly Care Services in All Irish Stores

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, is extending its Age Friendly Care service to all its stores across Ireland, providing dedicated customer care and technical support service to senior customers, aged 65 and over.

Co-designed in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland and Age Action, the Age Friendly Care initiative is designed based on a bespoke care programme that takes the complexity out of the services and helps build relationships with customers by making everything simple – from bills to mobile data, broadband or landline queries.

Initially consisting of a dedicated phone line for customers aged 65 and over, with a team of 20 dedicated agents specially trained in technical and soft skills, the service has grown in popularity since its introduction, with over 65,000 calls received to the Age Friendly Care line, with 23,500 calls in 2023 alone. The average time spent on each call is 10.5 minutes, and average answer speed of 1m 10s. The bespoke care approach has proven so successful that eir is now introducing in-person Age Friendly Care to their customers, in stores. The Age Friendly Care team was recognised by industry at the CCMA awards in 2022 taking home the prestigious title of Care Team of the Year.

Commenting on the launch of the in-store Age Friendly Care services, Sinead O’Gorman Managing Director of eir’s Customer Operations said: “At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland. Our experience during the pandemic made it clear that our customers rely on our stores and in person care for more than shopping: we’re here to provide them with care, answer their questions and help overcome connectivity challenges. Based on the success we’ve had with the initiative for almost two years since launch, we’re delighted to bring our hugely popular Age Friendly Care programme to life in our stores. The team in-store has been specially trained to provide care for older customers every day. If a customer feels they want more time to discuss their problem, dedicated in-store time for Age Friendly Care support has been set aside each Tuesday morning between 10 am and 12 pm.”

Susan Brady Managing Director eir Consumer and Small Business commented: “At eir, we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible in person retail experience. Alongside introducing new in-person services such as Age Friendly Care we’re proud to announce this significant €4 million investment in our retail network and unveil our new look stores, which reflect our commitment to offering the best of modern retailing and in-store experiences. We are progressing the transformation work at pace to ensure minimum disruption for our customers.”

eir’s ‘age friendly’ care line can be reached on 1800 252 252 and will be accessible between the hours of 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. If an older person wishes to nominate a friend or family member to manage their account on their behalf, this nominee can work with the age-friendly care team to resolve any issues. Age friendly support is available in all eir’s stores every day, with a dedicated slot from 10am to 12pm on Tuesdays for queries that may take a bit longer.

Irish Mobile Data Usage Surges 41% YoY

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, has reported a significant increase in data usage year on year for Q1 2023 (January 1st through to March 31st) across their mobile network. The eir mobile data report shows a 41% increase in data usage, with each county experiencing substantial growth. County Leitrim saw the most significant growth at 50% versus last year following eir’s investment of more than €2.5 million in Leitrim’s mobile network. While County Westmeath saw a lower growth at just over 22% Cork tops the list for busiest locations for mobile data and voice usage. The findings highlight an evident increase of data usage in each county, showcasing where and how consumers are enjoying superfast connections more than ever on eir’s award winning mobile network.

Cork City is ranked as the busiest voice and data usage location in the country according to the report. Fairhill, Cork is the number one location for voice calls, followed by Athy in Kildare, and Poppintree, Coolock and Blanchardstown, all three in Dublin. Tuam in Galway, Athy in Kildare, the Dublin Airport and Edenderry in County Offaly are the next busiest locations for data usage after Cork.

The mobile data report also reveals increased 5G usage across Ireland, with Dublin Airport being the top site for 5G usage, followed by Mullingar Town Centre and O’Connell St Dublin in third spot. The increase in mobile data usage in Ireland can be attributed to several factors including competitive unlimited minutes and unlimited data tariffs and the increased adoption of 5G enabled devices with next generation capabilities and an increase in data-intensive applications, including video and gaming streaming services.

Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir Consumer and Small Business commented “At eir, we provide our customers with access to world class connectivity, our broadband having recently been confirmed by Ookla to have the lowest latency in Ireland. eir invests more in Irish telecommunications than anyone else, investing €250 million annually in its communications networks, these results are a testament to eir’s commitment to providing high-quality mobile services to its customers, and the company’s investment in 5G technology.

The Q1 data report provides key insights into Ireland’s ever-growing data and connectivity demands, providing invaluable insight on how eir’s customers use eir’s services, helping us to continuously innovate to ensure that we’re consistently meeting our customers’ demands, and keeping the nation connected”.

eir Extends Partnership With GamerFest, Ireland’s Leading Gaming Festival as Ookla Confirms eir Ireland’s Lowest Latency Broadband Provide

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, today announces an extension of the partnership with GamerFest, Ireland’s biggest gaming and esports festival as Official Network Partner. The event, established in 2017, will hold two events in Dublin in 2023, on May 27th & 28th and October 21st & 22nd, enabling more gamers from across Ireland to experience the future of gaming in the RDS, Dublin. The extension of the partnership comes as Ookla® confirms eir as the fixed network with the best latency, based on analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data for fixed multi-server latency in Ireland, Q1 2023.

eir’s low latency means gamers’ actions are registered faster, giving them more time to react and make strategic decisions. Having delivered its best latency Gigabit Broadband network, capable of speeds of up to 10GB per second, to a record breaking one million homes and businesses across Ireland, eir is now the best network for gaming in Ireland.

Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir Consumer and Small Business “We’re delighted to partner with GamerFest again this year and look forward to showcasing the best possible gaming experience that the eir network enables at the events in the RDS.  The confirmation from Ookla on the low latency of the eir network this week allows the gamers of Ireland access to a competitive advantage when gaming. Low latency is critical for gaming and with the latest technology and infrastructure, eir’s network also offers lightning-fast download and upload speeds, ensuring that gamers can play their favourite games without any lag or interruption also. We’re proud to deliver that to one million premises across Ireland, making eir undoubtedly the best network for gamers in Ireland.”

Stuart Dempsey, GamerFest’s CEO: “The whole GamerFest team are proud to partner with eir. We’ve been blown away to see eir build out their Gigabit Fibre network to more than one million homes and businesses, which is huge news for our gaming community across Ireland as Gigabit Fibre speeds combined with the lowest latency provides an unmatched gaming experience.

Mobile gaming is also steadily increasing in popularity due to the expansion of 4G and 5G mobile technology. With eir’s 5G network, gamers can rest assured that they will always have the best possible gaming experience. We’re incredibly excited to welcome visitors back to GamerFest 2023 in May and October to experience all the amazing gaming content and technology across the weekend and to partner with eir again as our Official Network Partner.”

Over the last four years, eir has invested more than €1 billion in building world class connectivity infrastructure, enabling the build of Ireland’s largest Gigabit Fibre Network and Ireland’s best available 5G mobile network. eir has committed to investing a further €1 billion over four years, through to 2026 and is rolling out its Gigabit Broadband network to 1.9 million front doors, or 84% of homes and businesses, by the end of 2026.

Expleo boosts eir customer responsiveness with €1M robotics deal

Expleo, a global technology, engineering and consulting service provider, today announces that it has provided eir with an award-winning robotics programme that has transformed the company’s responsiveness to standard customer requests and increased customer care ratings. The deal is valued at €1M.

The project is part of eir’s large-scale customer-focused digital transformation programme, made possible by a multi-million euro investment into digital enhancements to transform the sales and self-serve customer journeys.

eir is Ireland’s largest telecoms provider, and its Customer Operations team receives thousands of calls every day. Prior to engaging with Expleo’s hyperautomation team, 18% of those calls related to requests for 13 common, repetitive processes, including moving home, adding authorised users, and changing installation appointment dates.

eir sought a new way to interact with customers which would be both cost-effective and time-effective while also improving overall customer and employee satisfaction. Using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and process optimisation techniques, Expleo streamlined the 13 requests identified by eir, enabling customers to manage their requests online, 24/7, without ever having to pick up the phone. Customers who prefer to speak to someone on the phone can still do so.

Using AI and robotics, Expleo’s technology is enabling eir to process more than 10,000 customer requests each month, with approximately 70% of those requests being fully automated. Typically, 80% of requests are completed within the same day. The solution relies on the principle of hyperautomation, which sees process-burdened organisations automating at scale across multiple tasks to see significant cost and time benefits.

By helping to greatly reduce the number of calls coming into eir’s contact centre, Expleo’s solution has freed up time for the company’s customer service agents to focus on customer-facing activities that are more complex to resolve and require the management of a trained team member. In doing so, it has helped to reduce the average time it takes for a caller to speak to an agent to below three minutes.

Agents have also been trained by Expleo on the implementation of robotics and are now involved in identifying areas that would benefit from hyperautomation in the future.

In a highly customer-centric industry with high levels of switching between providers, the robotics programme has had a significant impact on eir’s customer satisfaction rating. It went up 22 points in 2022 versus the previous year. Complaints, meanwhile, have decreased by 65%.

Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Intelligent Automation, Expleo, said: “Businesses are seeing huge value not just in automation, but hyperautomation: many are burdened by simple, repetitive tasks when they could be taken care of by robots. eir’s digital transformation programme is an excellent example of this and our partnership helps them ensure that as many high-volume but straightforward tasks as possible are being automated. In turn, customer service agents have more time to focus on customer-facing tasks, while also learning new skills in the area of automation.

 “As enterprises continue to embrace digital transformation, the role of hyperautomation will grow, enabling organisations to innovate at speed and excel in customer experience.”

Brian Chapman, eir’s Chief Information Officer: “The communication service we provide to our customers is essential. It is our job to ensure the two million people we serve have the communications infrastructure they need to live, work and connect all across Ireland, every single day. When they need us that interaction has to be seamless. eir has undergone a huge IT transformation in recent years, implementing new systems to provide best-in-class care journeys for our customers. By automating many of our processes we can improve the outcome for our customers and the agents who work with them. We partnered with Expleo to implement a transformational robotics programme. Expleo has been a valuable partner to eir as we work to remove barriers and complexities from our IT services, ensuring that eir is easy to work with and work for.”