Improving broadband services for rural areas
Wednesday, 14 October 2009Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has reinforced her commitment to improving broadband services in rural areas across Northern Ireland.
The Minister announced that a fourth call for broadband project applications will open on 19 October 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.
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 as a means to identify options for achieving widespread deployment of next generation broadband services, under the Programme for Government.
“We are already supporting four successful applications under previous Broadband Fund calls. Three of these projects are delivering extensive fixed wireless networks in some of the most rural parts of Northern Ireland including large parts of the rural west, along the Fermanagh/South Tyrone corridor and into the North Sperrins/Foyle Basin area. Commercial services will be available in November 2009 across the rural west as the first of these networks nears completion.
“This fourth project is a technology trial in Ballintoy and Ballinamallard looking at ways to increase 2G and 3G services using existing satellite infrastructure.
“It is vital that we maintain this momentum and we have once more identified locations where we are particularly keen to target trials and deployment of infrastructure, based on feedback from stakeholders.
“Our key objective is to encourage the emergence of affordable, high speed broadband services in such areas, providing conditions for the growth of local enterprises.
“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. For general media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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