Improving Broadband services for rural areas

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has today reinforced her commitment to improving broadband services in rural areas across Northern Ireland.

The Minister announced that a third call for broadband project applications will open on 6 April 2009, under the competitive £1.9million Northern Ireland Broadband Fund.

The fund, which is co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, aims to increase the options for delivery of broadband services in rural areas. It offers practical, financial support of up to 50% of overall project costs to organisations undertaking broadband technology trials here.

The fund supports trials demonstrating technologies that can be used to deliver higher speed, next generation broadband services and projects which offer solutions for provision of commercial services in priority rural areas in Northern Ireland. This third call will focus on Counties Fermanagh, Armagh and Down.

Arlene Foster said: “Exploitation of Northern Ireland’s world-class telecommunications infrastructure is a key priority for my department, with the contribution of broadband to economic growth now recognised globally.

“In August 2008 I launched the Broadband Fund, which plays a key role in achieving the commitments for widespread deployment of next generation broadband services, under the Programme for Government.

“We are already supporting two successful applications under a previous Broadband Fund call. The first is establishing an extensive fixed wireless network across the rural west and the other is proceeding as a technology trial in Ballintoy and Ballinamallard.

“It is vital that we maintain this momentum and the third call for broadband project proposals will take effect from 6 April 2009. In line with the two previous calls, we have identified locations where we are particularly keen to target trials and deployment of infrastructure.

“Our key objective is to encourage the emergence of affordable, high speed broadband services in rural areas, providing conditions for the growth of local enterprises and supporting commercial, educational and social requirements.

“With funding of up to 50% of project costs available to successful applicants, the fund is a key mechanism for ensuring that Northern Ireland businesses continue to exploit their knowledge of broadband technologies.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Broadband Fund was launched on 7 August 2008.
2. Access to the fund is competitive, with applications scored by an evaluation panel. The department maintains a strictly “technology neutral” approach, primarily seeking provision of a service as opposed to a particular technical solution.
3. The fund will operate to 2013, with a mid-point evaluation scheduled for 2011.
4. Details on the project are available by request: telephone 028 9052 9522. Downloadable application forms and information packs are available from the DETI website
5. Media enquiries please contact DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.