High speed broadband services for rural west

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has confirmed £237,000 of financial assistance to help deliver high speed broadband services into Northern Ireland’s rural west.

The funding from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s (DETI) £1.9million Broadband Fund, has been awarded to North West Electronics, a local small and medium sized enterprise based in Londonderry which specialises in the provision of wireless broadband services.

It will enable North West Electronics to offer residential and business customers across the Western region, a wide range of high speed broadband products, including those to address the specific needs of larger enterprises.

The Broadband Fund, which is co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, has a specific rural focus and aims to assist companies undertaking broadband technology trials in Northern Ireland.

Announcing the £237,000 worth of funding, which will help deliver 50% of the total project costs to North West Electronics, Arlene Foster said: “The North West Electronics project is strategically very important. It will provide affordable access to next generation broadband services for business and customers located in some of the most rural parts of Northern Ireland.

“The improved broadband service will provide businesses with the most up-to-date network connections, typically only available in major cities, and will create a platform for rural businesses to compete on a global stage.”

The Minister is committed to continued improved delivery of broadband services as a key driver of the Northern Ireland knowledge economy.

She said: “The provision of high quality and affordable broadband connectivity to very rural locations is a challenge which is being faced globally.

“However, I am determined that to use the Broadband Fund to get the best possible, value for money, solutions for widespread deployment of next generation broadband services.”

Arlene Foster encourages all of those in the Western region to exploit the opportunities that North West Electronics’ improved broadband services will bring.

The Minister said: “It is vital that local residents and businesses take full advantage of the enhanced high speed broadband services that North West Electronics can bring to the region.

“I welcome the support given to the company by a range of local stakeholders, including local councils in the West.

“Demand for services delivered by this project and support for the business, will be critical in ensuring that we achieve maximum value from this investment.”

Scott McClelland, owner of North West Electronics said: “Our solution brings together the best in class existing and future fixed wireless access technologies, to provide the most complete package for delivery of broadband services in difficult rural environments.

“The support offered under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme represents a significant investment in North West Electronics, allowing us to extend our business capability and the services we can offer. We look forward to working with DETI on this important project. We also welcome support for the project expressed by local community associations and the five western councils.”

Notes to Editors:

1. North West Electronics specialises in the provision of broadband services using Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) technology.
2. The North West Electronics’ project will offer a wide range of broadband products of up to 10Mbps for residential and business customers, with options for tailored products of up to 100Mbps to address specific needs of larger enterprises.
3. The Broadband Fund was launched on 7 August 2008.
4. 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.
5. The Fund will operate to 2013, with a mid-point evaluation scheduled for 2011.
6. Details on the project are available by request (telephone 028 9052 9560).
7. 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.