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BuddeComms latest UK and Ireland Annual Publication, profiles two similar yet contrasting countries. The UK has the second largest telecom market in Europe, and since the privatisation of BT the country has developed one of the most competitive telecom environments in the world. Ireland has one of Europes smallest telecom markets, and has traditionally been peripheral both geographically and technologically. However, the countrys mobile market has become more competitive with the introduction of another 3G service in 2005, while its lagging broadband sector is finally benefitting from strong government investment in infrastructure.The development of IPTV and other IP-based triple play services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Video-on-Demand (VoD) developed strongly during 2005, although Irelands generally low-bandwidth cable and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks has restricted take-up within the main urban centres. Numerous ADSL2+ roll-outs in the UK are making triple play a popular reality in many areas of the UK.Digital TV is widely available in both countries, and satellite and cable pay-TV have a strong presence. The UK has terminated analogue signals in some areas, and announced the schedules for digital switchover in coming years. This report presents a concise overview of sector liberalisation and privatisation, and the development of product offerings for both the mobile and broadband sectors. It provides essential statistics for broadband and mobile operators, highlighting market and technological developments, and details the emergence of media convergence and triple play offerings in these two important markets. |