Complete Telecom delivers ultra high-speed Internet connectivity for Carton House and Real Madrid

• First hotel on the island of Ireland to provide 100MB internet connectivity
• Next-generation broadband access for Real Madrid and world’s media
• Advanced communications for 450,000 guests per year
• This investment will enhance Ireland’s ability to attract major business events
• €200k contract over four years

Pictured (L-R) are Neil Wisdom, sales and marketing director, Complete Telecom and David Webster, general manager, Carton House

Dublin, 29 July 2009 – Complete Telecom, the managed network and telecoms services provider, has delivered an ultra high-speed internet network to Carton House in Maynooth. This is the first hotel and leisure destination on the island of Ireland to provide 100MB internet connectivity and also has the ability to offer up to 1GB (1,000MB). The luxurious hotel accommodates more than 450,000 business and leisure guests per year, including Real Madrid’s touring party of international superstars. The contract is valued at €200k over four years.

The new IP infrastructure is part of a multi-million investment by Carton House to position itself firmly in the world’s top tier of business resorts. It will help to attract very prestigious business events to Ireland and Carton House.

The high-speed broadband network was installed in the weeks leading up to the arrival of Real Madrid. It has enabled hundreds of broadcasters, journalists and photographers based at Carton House during the team’s visit, to deliver simultaneous live broadcasts to global media organisations throughout the world. This allowed Real Madrid’s massive international fan base to be kept fully up-to-date with their team’s crucial pre-season preparations in Ireland. The solution was delivered in partnership with Inland Fibre Telecom, an independent Irish carrier neutral telecommunications company.

When leading global companies look for locations to hold international customer, networking and education events, they require direct and secure access to next-generation broadband. At Carton House, conference guests can now collaborate with colleagues and customers around the world with guaranteed quality of service. Each conference suite and meeting room offers real-time access to a full range of bandwidth-hungry and content-rich multimedia applications such as high-definition telepresence systems. Carton House appears to be the only resort in Ireland guaranteeing 100MB internet connectivity, with the ability to offer up to 1GB.

The un-contended internet connection has been rolled out throughout the 1,100 acre estate. Carton House guests now also have unrivalled internet access to a full range of business and entertainment digital services direct from their rooms. This ensures guests can connect easily and securely to their corporate networks and access powerful business applications. In addition, high-definition IPTV offers guests on-demand movies and the widest choice of local and international TV channels.

Speaking at the launch of the new internet service, David Webster, general manager at Carton House, said, “This investment is a significant milestone in the Carton House Resort. We have built one of the world’s prime locations for hosting major sports and business events. This is all about Carton House being at the forefront and ready to cater for the needs of the high tech, research and technology led businesses that are anticipated to grow in Ireland and Europe in the next twenty to thirty years. It is in this sector of the economy that we see ourselves being the first choice venue for hosting events. To host events for this sector we needed a world-class communications infrastructure to meet their huge online and technical requirements. Thanks to Complete Telecom and Inland Fibre Telecom, we now have this in place.”

Neil Wisdom, sales and marketing director, Complete Telecom, said, “Carton House has positioned itself as the Irish destination of choice for high profile international events. This latest investment is probably its most important as having fast, reliable and direct internet connectivity to global markets will play a central role in its growth strategy. In addition to this deal with Carton House, Complete Telecom also delivered high-speed internet connectivity to Tallaght Stadium in time for the glamour friendly between Shamrock Rovers and Real Madrid.”

About Carton House:
Built in 1739 by the 19th Earl of Kildare, Robert Fitzgerald, as his country’s family seat, Carton House sits on 1,100-acres of parklands. Royalty, musicians and stars of the silver screen – from Queen Victoria to Grace Kelly – have passed through the doors of Carton House and its timeless appeal has been thoughtfully preserved into a 165-bedroom hotel. Today, the hotel seamlessly combines historic tradition with contemporary flourishes to create a unique atmosphere where old and new complement each other to stunning effect.

The facilities at Carton House include the Spa at Carton House, the Kitchen Bar, a conference centre and The Linden Tree Restaurant. The Linden Tree serves modern cuisine in a contemporary space punctuated by amazing views of Carton’s woodlands through huge picture windows. The most recent addition to the Carton House experience is the arrival of Ireland Xtreme with activities including exhilarating 4x4 driving, archery, clay pigeon shooting and team building games. Carton also boasts two championship golf courses, the Montgomerie and the O’Meara and is home to the Golfing Union of Ireland head quarters and National Coaching Academy. Winner Golf Resort of The year 2008 Europe (IAGTO). For more information go to www.cartonhouse.com

About Complete Telecom:
Complete Telecom is one of Ireland's leading enterprise providers of managed network and telecoms services. Its all-fibre next generation network and extensive experience of converged network infrastructure means it can deliver fully integrated connectivity. Complete offers managed services to corporate clients, Government and telecommunications carriers. Since its formation in 2001, Complete Telecom has grown to become a leading force in the market, with operating profit in every year since inception. For more, see www.complete.ie

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