Improving Broadband Services for Rural Northern Ireland

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced investments worth £177,000 to further improve broadband services in rural areas across Northern Ireland.

The investments, in the form of financial assistance through the £1.9million Broadband Fund, have been awarded to two companies, North West Electronics and Net 1 Limited. Both specialise in the provision of broadband services.

The Broadband Fund is co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013. It has a specific rural focus and offers practical financial support to organisations undertaking broadband technology trials in Northern Ireland, or offering solutions for the delivery of high speed, reliable broadband services.

North West Electronics, based in Londonderry, offers fixed wireless broadband access services. With the help of this funding, it will extend its existing network in the north-west and offer a significant range of commercial broadband services to business and residential customers in the North Sperrin and Foyle Basin areas of County Londonderry, including Park, Greysteel and Macosquin.

Net 1 Limited, a company based in Drogheda, specialises in the delivery of rural broadband internet connectivity also via fixed wireless access. It currently operates almost 200 base stations throughout Counties Meath, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan. It will develop similar fixed wireless infrastructure across County Fermanagh from the east near Augher, to the area immediately south east of Lough Melvin, offering services into areas including Marlbank (the Marble Arch Caves), Belcoo, Lattone, Drumculley and Kinawley.

Announcing this second batch of successful projects to receive financial assistance from the Broadband Fund, Arlene Foster said: “The £1.9million Broadband Fund continues to offer practical business support to Northern Ireland’s SME’s, upon which our local economy is highly reliant.

“The fund allows such organisations as North West Electronics and Net 1 Limited to demonstrate the range of technologies that will prove critical in delivering next generation broadband services, enabling rural local enterprises to grow and providing access to commercial, educational and social services for rural domestic broadband users.”

The Minister reinforced her commitment to providing a widespread deployment of high speed broadband services here.

She said: “It is vital that higher speed broadband services are made as widely available as possible across Northern Ireland. The work of North West Electronics and Net 1 Limited will span areas within County Londonderry and County Fermanagh, allowing those living and working in some of the most rural locations, to benefit from high quality, affordable broadband access.

“I congratulate Net 1 Limited and North West Electronics on their success and look to them to build upon their proven track records in delivering broadband services.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Broadband Fund was launched on 7 August 2008. Seven applications for assistance were received under the 3rd call.

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 actual amount of funding for each company cannot be released because of commercial in confidence reasons.

4. The Fund will operate to 2013, with a mid-point evaluation scheduled for 2011.

5. Details on the project are available by request (telephone 028 9052 9560).

6. Media enquiries please contact DETI Press Office, telephone 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.