About
Bitbuzz is a Wi-Fi network operator providing a range of managed services to hotels, airports, cafe bars, pubs and other public locations throughout Ireland and the UK.
Bitbuzz was founded in Dublin in 2003 and soon became Ireland's best Wi-Fi network, according to a survey by Espion Research.
Bitbuzz expanded into the UK market place in early 2008 and in 2010 opened a dedicated office in London.
Bitbuzz offers a range of services to the hospitality industry as well as roaming solutions to foreign network operators.
For press enquiries or further information, please see our contact page.
Shane Deasy, Managing Director
Shane Deasy is a property surveyor who valued residential and retail property before entering the telecoms industry in 1995, when he joined Esat Digifone (later O2) as a Regional Acquisition Manager.
In 2000, Shane moved to the UK to take up the position of Head of Site Acquisition & Construction for Hutchison Whampoa's 3G Network (now branded as three). This was the most successful rollout in UK history, acquiring more than 4,000 sites in less than 3 years.
In March of 2002 Shane founded Wavelink, a professional services company, and soon became involved in various high profile Wi-Fi rollouts, including O2 Ireland's Wi-Fi network (known as O2 Wireless Zone) and The Cloud, the Wi-Fi network based in 3000 pubs in the UK.
During this time, Shane identified a gap in the Irish market for the provision of a managed Wi-Fi solution to bars, hotels and coffee shops and with the rest of the management team developed the concept for Bitbuzz.
Alex French
Alex has been involved in the Internet Services market in Ireland, Europe and the Americas since 1994, most recently as Senior Product Architect for VIA NET.WORKS, Inc, a NASDAQ-listed, US-based international provider of Internet services. He was also involved in the founding of the Irish ISP Club Internet (now Magnet).
Alex holds a BA (Mod) in mathematics from Trinity College, Dublin. He has been actively involved in Internet standards bodies, including the IETF and was a member of the board of the Irish Internet Exchange (INEX).
Since 2002, Alex worked as a consultant with new and developing businesses in the Internet Services area, advising them on technology, marketing and finance issues. Based on his experiences in this sector, Alex realized that Wi-Fi services will be the most revolutionary net access technology of the next few years and joined forces with the other founders to develop this sector in Ireland.
Alex contributes regularly to radio, press and TV on technology topics. In 2006, he wrote the bestselling book "dot IE", a beginner's guide to getting online in Ireland, available from all good bookstores.
John Gunnigan
John Gunnigan is an independent economic consultant based in Dublin who specialises in the communications and broadcasting sectors.
He has extensive experience in advising public sector and private clients in Ireland, Europe and further afield on a range of regulatory, competition and public policy issues. John has close to two decades experience in the communications industry, having previously worked with operators in both the UK and Ireland. He holds a BA in Economics and History from University College Dublin and an MSc in Economics from Birkbeck College, University of London.
Nicky Logue
Nicky Logue is a Director and General Manager of the four star Fitzpatrick Castle, Killiney Co. Dublin.
A Native of Ennis, Co. Clare, Nicky is a graduate of the Shannon International College of Hotel Management and trained in Ireland and Switzerland . Following graduation he spent 11 years as a General Manager working in the UK for Paramount Hotel Group, Principal Hotels and Le Meridien.
Nicky decided to return to Ireland in 2003 and joined Fitzpatrick's as General Manager and was invited to join the board of the Castle in 2006.
Nicky was the recipient of the award for "Hotel Manager of the Year" in 2006 from the Irish Hospitality Institute.
This year Nicky took up the role of Deputy President of the IHI and is a Council member of Dunlaogahire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce.
Stephen McCormack
Stephen McCormack is a successful serial entrepreneur who has founded and managed a number of innovative Media and Tech companies. Stephen has co-founded companies such as Itsmobile, and Wildwave.
Steve is currently founder and CEO of Straywave Media, a multiplatform TV and Digital Entertainment Company. Straywave's brands include Irish Music Television, Style Nation and Independent Asian Music TV. Recent TV productions include Fade Street (RTE), Celebrity Salon (TV3), Young Dumb and Living off Mum (Sony/TV3). Straywave's TV divisions include Format Entertainment, Documentary and TV Drama.
