UUNet Technologies Inc, a subsidiary of MCI WorldCom Inc, last week opened an internet hub in Ireland, its third such expansion in Europe this year. The company already has internet hubs in almost all the major European countries including Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden. The company installed an internet hub in Switzerland and Italy at the beginning of the year and plans further expansions into the Mediterranean and east-European countries where it does not already have presence over the next year, Cormac Whelan, director of global marketing, told ComputerWire.
Whelan explained the decision to open a hub in Ireland was part of the general UUNet strategy to gain global presence in all regions where parent company, MCI WorldCom, is present. Marketing manager for UK and Ireland, Joe Clift, added that the Irish governmentÆs enthusiasm in supporting the growth of internet related business, the country’s favorable tax structures and the growing presence of other major technology companies – for example Dell and Gateway – were all reasons for the decision to expand into Ireland now.
Whelan said he thought that Ireland had so far not seen much attention from internet companies and had low penetration rates, but added that UUNet nevertheless believed Ireland would soon be one of EuropeÆs fastest growing internet and technology markets.
