Menu
03/01/2019
Economy Department Exploring Broadband Improvements In NI
The Department for the Economy (DfE) is exploring the possibility of progressing work to improve Northern Ireland's broadband speeds without a minister.
A consultation is currently open to find out which areas of NI operate with the slowest broadband speeds.
Suppliers and members of the public are being urged to correctly identify all postcodes that contain premises currently unable to access 30 megabits per second (Mbps) broadband services.
The work is due to be funded by £150m from the DUP and Conservative's confidence and supply deal.
The DfE is considering wether or not the projected timescale for the work can also change.
In October 2018, Secretary of State Karen Bradley introduced the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill which gave civil servants greater flexibility in decision making.
It came after a court ruling that the Department for Infrastructure's permanent secretary acted in excess of his legal power when approving plans to build an incinerator plant in County Antrim.
The ruling was followed by doubt surrounding what decisions civil servants are allowed to take in the absence of a Northern Ireland assembly, which has been in a political stalemate since January 2017.
The confidence and supply deal said the UK government would "contribute £75m per year for two years to help provide ultra-fast broadband for Northern Ireland".
Previous research carried out by Ofcom showed that around 40,000 premises still can't avail of the broadband speeds required by the typical user.
The consultation on current available speeds will close on Monday 14 January at 12 noon. People are asked to check the lists published online at NI Direct or visit their local council offices where hard copies available.
Permanent secretary of the DfE, Noel Lavery, said: "I would encourage people to review these lists to ensure that we have identified those postcodes where broadband services of at least 30 Mbps are not available. If you believe the information relating to your postcode is incorrect then please contact us soon as possible.
"This is an important and necessary step in preparing the ground work that could see an investment of up to £200million of public money in telecoms infrastructure in Northern Ireland, primarily in rural areas.
"There has been significant investment in telecoms infrastructure across Northern Ireland, but there are still areas, particularly rural, where difficulties remain. This exercise aims to identify those areas so that we can ensure funding is targeted appropriately."
(JG/MH)
A consultation is currently open to find out which areas of NI operate with the slowest broadband speeds.
Suppliers and members of the public are being urged to correctly identify all postcodes that contain premises currently unable to access 30 megabits per second (Mbps) broadband services.
The work is due to be funded by £150m from the DUP and Conservative's confidence and supply deal.
The DfE is considering wether or not the projected timescale for the work can also change.
In October 2018, Secretary of State Karen Bradley introduced the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill which gave civil servants greater flexibility in decision making.
It came after a court ruling that the Department for Infrastructure's permanent secretary acted in excess of his legal power when approving plans to build an incinerator plant in County Antrim.
The ruling was followed by doubt surrounding what decisions civil servants are allowed to take in the absence of a Northern Ireland assembly, which has been in a political stalemate since January 2017.
The confidence and supply deal said the UK government would "contribute £75m per year for two years to help provide ultra-fast broadband for Northern Ireland".
Previous research carried out by Ofcom showed that around 40,000 premises still can't avail of the broadband speeds required by the typical user.
The consultation on current available speeds will close on Monday 14 January at 12 noon. People are asked to check the lists published online at NI Direct or visit their local council offices where hard copies available.
Permanent secretary of the DfE, Noel Lavery, said: "I would encourage people to review these lists to ensure that we have identified those postcodes where broadband services of at least 30 Mbps are not available. If you believe the information relating to your postcode is incorrect then please contact us soon as possible.
"This is an important and necessary step in preparing the ground work that could see an investment of up to £200million of public money in telecoms infrastructure in Northern Ireland, primarily in rural areas.
"There has been significant investment in telecoms infrastructure across Northern Ireland, but there are still areas, particularly rural, where difficulties remain. This exercise aims to identify those areas so that we can ensure funding is targeted appropriately."
(JG/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 January 2010
Broadband Technology Boosts Rural Areas
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced a further £88,000 for technology trials, to improve broadband services in rural areas across the country. The financial support, from the £1.9million Broadband Fund, has been awarded to two companies, H2O Ireland Limited and North West Electronics.
Broadband Technology Boosts Rural Areas
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced a further £88,000 for technology trials, to improve broadband services in rural areas across the country. The financial support, from the £1.9million Broadband Fund, has been awarded to two companies, H2O Ireland Limited and North West Electronics.
13 October 2006
Enterprise Minister praises Broadband Project
Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle has today praised the successful Northern Ireland Broadband Flagship Project in County Londonderry. The Minister was visiting a ‘smart’ classroom, created as part of the Broadband Flagship Project, at the Strand Road campus of the North West Institute for Further and Higher Education (NWIFHE).
Enterprise Minister praises Broadband Project
Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle has today praised the successful Northern Ireland Broadband Flagship Project in County Londonderry. The Minister was visiting a ‘smart’ classroom, created as part of the Broadband Flagship Project, at the Strand Road campus of the North West Institute for Further and Higher Education (NWIFHE).
30 April 2010
Faster Broadband Connections Onstream
Customers of Belfast-based Rainbow Telecom are set to benefit from free superfast broadband. The company is the first in Northern Ireland to state its pricing structure ahead of the roll-out of next generation superfast broadband by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, (DETI) due to be completed by May 2011.
Faster Broadband Connections Onstream
Customers of Belfast-based Rainbow Telecom are set to benefit from free superfast broadband. The company is the first in Northern Ireland to state its pricing structure ahead of the roll-out of next generation superfast broadband by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, (DETI) due to be completed by May 2011.
13 April 2021
Openreach To Invest Over £100m In Capital Expenditure In NI
Digital infrastructure provider Openreach has announced it is to invest over £100million in capital expenditure in Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. The investment will be used to support the maintenance of Openreach’s existing copper and fibre networks as well as its ultrafast Full Fibre broadband network build programme.
Openreach To Invest Over £100m In Capital Expenditure In NI
Digital infrastructure provider Openreach has announced it is to invest over £100million in capital expenditure in Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. The investment will be used to support the maintenance of Openreach’s existing copper and fibre networks as well as its ultrafast Full Fibre broadband network build programme.
15 August 2011
Guarded Welcome For NI Broadband Fund
The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed additional money to help get NI firmly on the Internet highway - but has also said that it falls short of the level of help expected.
Guarded Welcome For NI Broadband Fund
The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed additional money to help get NI firmly on the Internet highway - but has also said that it falls short of the level of help expected.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
