Every paddock at Teagasc’s 220ha Ballyhaise college will be directly connected to the internet under a pilot broadband scheme it is running with Microsoft.

Students will be able to use IT equipment such as connected plate meters and visitors will have Wi-Fi access in every field, Teagasc director Gerry Boyle said at the launch of the scheme.

The so-called Airband technology uses airwaves freed up by the switch to digital television in 2012. “That TV white space is suitable to provide broadband over long distances of 10km through hilly terrain, foliage and buildings,” said Ciarán Conlon, director of public policy at Microsoft Ireland.

The trial is due to start within six weeks and could offer solutions to other areas not serviced by current broadband providers, company representatives said.

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Wi-Fi in Ballyhaise fields

Teagasc and Microsoft are trialling a technology in Cavan that was used to bring broadband to 3m rural Americans.