Press Release December 2011

Mandac, the Dublin based technology company, has won a second major contract with the European Space Agency that will help people in the remotest parts of Africa gain access to the Internet.
The contract is for the provision of a ‘cloud’ version of its Internet retailing system.
It covers the enhancement and deployment of the firm’s MultiSpot system, which is a management and billing service for wireless hotspots.
In many parts of Africa and emerging regions of the world, the only way to get Internet access is via satellite connection. Mandac is using its MultiSpot system to bring the internet to a wider population in developing countries.
Ireland’s membership of ESA is funded by the Irish Government and is managed by Enterprise Ireland. Membership of ESA enables Irish research institutes and companies to participate in ESA programmes and secure valuable contracts.
Congratulating the company, Sean Sherlock Minister for Research and Innovation said “Mandac’s success is a prime example of how Ireland’s membership of the European Space Agency through Enterprise Ireland is providing highly valuable support to Irish companies in their product development activities and in supporting their access to international markets. This contract is all the more impressive for a high potential start-up company like Mandac and highly significant given the role that start- ups will play in the future development of the Irish economy”.
“This project not only shows the significant value of investment in the development of space systems to the Irish technological sector but importantly it also shows the increasing global socio-economic benefits of space infrastructure to citizens everywhere,” he added.
Mandac’s managing director, John Murphy, said the company is servicing the emerging markets of Africa and the middle east, bringing the internet to people in disadvantaged areas. “The company developed MultiSpot, which offers pre-pay internet access on a low-power platform and supports a range of payment options, including credit/debit card, scratch cards and even mobile phone credit. This contract with the European Space Agency will facilitate growth to 800,000 registered customers.”