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06/01/2010
BT Announce Broadband Investment
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed BT's announcement of a new investment in Northern Ireland’s telecoms infrastructure.
The Minister said: "This is a further significant and very welcome investment in our telecommunications infrastructure. BT's investment comes on top of the £48 million Next Generation Broadband Project, which I announced in December."
BT’s investment will bring speeds of up to 40 mb/s, rising to 60 mb/s to nearly 30,000 households and businesses in the Bangor exchange area, by the end of the summer. It will also bring the total number of exchanges, delivering high broadband speeds, across Northern Ireland, to 167.
The £48 million Next Generation Broadband Project involves the introduction of new technology to increase broadband speeds of a minimum of 10Mb/s to businesses in urban areas and 2Mb/s to businesses in rural areas, in Northern Ireland, over the next 18 months.
Ms Foster added: "High quality telecoms infrastructure is an important tool for Northern Ireland businesses. If fully utilised by companies, it can make transactions easier, facilitate innovation and raise productivity.
"My Department has had the vision to strive for the highest quality telecoms, which can be afforded. It has worked hard, and in close partnership with the telecoms industry in recent years, to bring that vision to a reality and we are now seeing significant delivery on the ground."
The Minister continued: "The Northern Ireland Executive recognises the importance of telecommunications as part of its priority of 'Growing A Dynamic, Innovative Economy'. The Next Generation Broadband Project will deliver on the Programme for Government target, to ensure that 85% of all businesses in Northern Ireland will be able to access a next generation network by March 2011.
"Modern telecommunications move fast and Northern Ireland must keep pace. When the Next Generation Broadband Project has been completed, few, if any, parts of the British Isles will have anywhere near the amount of fibre that will be deployed in Northern Ireland by 2011."
(NS/BMcC)
The Minister said: "This is a further significant and very welcome investment in our telecommunications infrastructure. BT's investment comes on top of the £48 million Next Generation Broadband Project, which I announced in December."
BT’s investment will bring speeds of up to 40 mb/s, rising to 60 mb/s to nearly 30,000 households and businesses in the Bangor exchange area, by the end of the summer. It will also bring the total number of exchanges, delivering high broadband speeds, across Northern Ireland, to 167.
The £48 million Next Generation Broadband Project involves the introduction of new technology to increase broadband speeds of a minimum of 10Mb/s to businesses in urban areas and 2Mb/s to businesses in rural areas, in Northern Ireland, over the next 18 months.
Ms Foster added: "High quality telecoms infrastructure is an important tool for Northern Ireland businesses. If fully utilised by companies, it can make transactions easier, facilitate innovation and raise productivity.
"My Department has had the vision to strive for the highest quality telecoms, which can be afforded. It has worked hard, and in close partnership with the telecoms industry in recent years, to bring that vision to a reality and we are now seeing significant delivery on the ground."
The Minister continued: "The Northern Ireland Executive recognises the importance of telecommunications as part of its priority of 'Growing A Dynamic, Innovative Economy'. The Next Generation Broadband Project will deliver on the Programme for Government target, to ensure that 85% of all businesses in Northern Ireland will be able to access a next generation network by March 2011.
"Modern telecommunications move fast and Northern Ireland must keep pace. When the Next Generation Broadband Project has been completed, few, if any, parts of the British Isles will have anywhere near the amount of fibre that will be deployed in Northern Ireland by 2011."
(NS/BMcC)
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28 July 2011
NI Broadband Infrastructure Boosted
The 'Next Generation Broadband Project' has completed on time and on budget, Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
