Virgin Media Deal To Secure Belfast's Digital Future

Virgin Media Business is set to secure Belfast's connectivity by delivering a full fibre network across 200 council sites in the city.

Estimated for completion by September 2020, the new network will bring a wealth of benefits for businesses and residents through an increased fibre footprint.

It is hoped it will improve broadband provision for Belfast businesses and indirectly lead to increased investment and further economic growth.

The appointment comes after Belfast City Council submitted an application to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Local Full Fibre Networks programme, securing the £8 million needed to deliver the project.

Alderman Brian Kingston, chair of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said the deal will help futureproof council's network and connections to ensure an uninterrupted service for ratepayers and businesses going forward.

"This new network will meet our connectivity and digital business requirements for our long-term future, delivering almost unlimited bandwidth and providing a more secure purpose-built network for transactions, allowing Council to deliver more efficient digital services for both staff and residents across all its sites."

Up to 80% of the full fibre roll out will be facilitated using already existing infrastructure.

Minister for Digital and Broadband Matt Warman, said: "Belfast has so much going for it and I'm delighted it will benefit from £8 million in UK Government funding to provide its public services with future-proof, full fibre broadband.

"A city-wide fibre network will help attract further commercial investment and be a huge boost for businesses and residents.

"We want to deliver world-class, gigabit-capable broadband to the whole of the UK and are investing over £650 million in full fibre broadband until the end of 2021."

Rob Orr, Executive Director at Virgin Media Business, added: "Virgin Media Business will be delivering more of its gigabit capable network to more premises in Belfast as part of this new deal. This will allow us to extend the reach of our network to new areas, connecting essential services that will help aid Belfast's ambitious growth plans."



(JG/CM)