by Sandra Coffey

NOW is the time to invest, to keep our towns attractive and to provide additional facilities and amenities so that businesses will want to invest, community activists in Kiltimagh have been told.

The chief executive of IRD Kiltimagh, Joe Kelly, told the company’s annual general meeting that hopes are still high the decentralisation of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to the town will go ahead...

...Mr Kelly also revealed that IRD Kiltimagh has been successful in bringing together a team effort involving internet companies e-net, Westnet, BT, CMS Peripherals and Mayo County Council. This initiative has resulted in the setting up of the Kiltimagh Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

Read the full story published in the Western People, 29/12/09

CONGRATULATIONS to Patricia Burke and her son Ben, from Belgarrow in Foxford, who were the lucky winner of a brand new laptop computer from Mayo internet service provider WestNet at the recent MWR Expose at the Ramada Hotel, Ballina.

The competition was called Gigabytes in one Day and the challenge was to guess how many gigabytes of information flowed through the West- Net network in one day. Patricia’s guess of 2,789 Gigabytes was the closest. That’s a lot of information and shows just how much people in Mayo are using their broadband connections.

WestNet is a well established wireless broadband service provider based in the wider Mayo area. It was set up over four years ago, and specialises in providing premium quality community broadband to rural locations which are not served by the larger companies. Westnet’s specific aim is to bring affordable, high-quality broadband to rural communities in the west of Ireland. Most areas in the county can get good quality broadband.

For more information contact WestNet by phone on 1850 930305 or log onto www.westnet. ie.

Published in Western People, 29/12/09

At the Westnet (Broadband) staff Christmas party at Smokie in the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre and Event Centre front row, from left: Annette Bruce, Julie Moore, Kelly McDonnell and Peter Moore. Back row: Annette Broch, Shane Thornton, Paul Cunnane and Wayne Thornton.

Published in Western People, 22/12/09

Westport, Balla and Castlebar are the first towns within our network to benefit from the new WiMAX technology.

It will provide homes and businesses in these built up areas with a real alternative to connection via a phone line.

It can be connected via a self install indoor unit or a WestNet installed outdoor unit we can deliver high speed ‘always on’ broadband a fixed rate starting from just €35.00 per month. Subject to a deposit or install fee depending on the type of connection.

WestNet have recently stretched the northern boundaries of our Network, as we have added access points in Kilfine and Attymass that cover a huge area.

Further south we have added a new access point in Tourmakeady that will cover much of the area on the southern and eastern shoreline and surrounding areas of Lough Mask.