Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, (DETI) is issuing an invitation to tender for a service provider that can offer basic broadband services to customers who are unable to access a fixed-line solution.
This service will replace DETI’s five year contract with BT to provide 100% broadband coverage across Northern Ireland and will ensure an uninterrupted service to those customers currently receiving broadband via satellite.
BT’s contract will end on 31 March 2009 and will have no impact on the vast majority of broadband users, as they receive their broadband services via telephone lines. For those who are unable to access a fixed-line solution, however, service will be terminated with effect from 1 April 2009.
The Minister said: “I am determined that Northern Ireland should maintain its 100% broadband availability status and those living in remote areas should continue to have access to broadband services at a reasonable cost.
“My department is therefore issuing an invitation to tender today for a service provider that can offer basic broadband services to those premises that are unable to access a fixed-line solution.”
Those customers who are currently in receipt of broadband services via satellite will receive a letter and a form from BT to explain the change of contract. Customers should complete the form and return it to DETI as quickly as possible, to ensure they are registered as a priority for migration to the new service as soon as it is in place.
Arlene Foster continued: “DETI wishes to reassure those affected customers that the migration process, from one service provider to another, will take place as a matter of urgency and free of charge.”
Completed forms should be returned to the Department by no later than 31 October 2008.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- In March 2004 DETI awarded a contract to BT to ensure that a minimum of 512kbps broadband access was available to every home and business in Northern Ireland that wanted it by the end of 2005.
- The contract is serviced-based, meaning that BT can deploy the appropriate technology/technologies to deliver the required services. In general broadband services are delivered using existing telephone wires, however, due to the layout of the telephone network in Northern Ireland, a small number of lines (less than 1%) are outside the tolerances acceptable to provide broadband services across them. This has resulted in a small number of users, mostly in rural areas, receiving broadband using a satellite solution.
- The BT contract is due to end on 31March 2009 at which stage service for those in receipt of a BT provided satellite broadband solution will be terminated.
- To ensure that broadband services continue to be provided to these customers, DETI has issued tender for a service provider that can offer basic broadband services to those premises that are unable to access a fixed-line solution.
- The department is, as always, taking a technology neutral stance on the contract firmly believing that the market is best placed to deliver the most appropriate solution.
- It is hoped to award the contract before the end of 2008 so that those currently in receipt of a satellite-based broadband solution can be migrated to the new service as seamlessly as possible.
- Media enquires to DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297 or email: pressoffice@detini.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
