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24/11/2010
Project Kelvin Heralds International Link
Northern Ireland's direct telecommunications link to North America has been completed, recalling Lord Kelvin - a world-beating Belfast-born scientist whose work revolutionised Victorian era communications.
Today's Project Kelvin involved connecting a submarine cable to the Hibernia North Transatlantic cable located 22 miles off the north coast of Ireland.
Initially, the cable was brought ashore in June 2009 and work continued on the building and testing of the terrestrial infrastructure until the summer and now, Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that the hugely innovative link has been completed.
Named after Lord Kelvin, whose Kelvin (Absolute) Temperature Scale is at the heart of all scientific calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature, is commemorated already in his home city of Belfast, where a stature stands in Botanic Gardens to the great man, (pictured).
William Thomson, the 1st Baron Kelvin had a career as an electric telegraph engineer and inventor, which ensured his wealth, fame and honour.
Appropriately, his work on the first ever-transatlantic telegraph project saw him knighted by Queen Victoria, becoming Sir William Thomson before he died in 1907.
Now the great man lives again in this 21st Century project that has been co-financed under the EU's INTERREG IVA programme 2007-2013 and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI).
In conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) in the Republic of Ireland, the €30m contract was awarded to Hibernia Atlantic in December 2008.
NI Minister Arlene Foster said: "The completion of the Project Kelvin network means Northern Ireland has a fast, low cost and resilient telecommunications link to North America, with improved connectivity in Europe.
"Northern Ireland businesses now have access to the same international telecoms services found in major cities like Amsterdam and New York.
"In the current economic climate, we must give every possible advantage to Northern Ireland companies to enable them to compete in the global export market. This international telecommunication capacity provides increased opportunities to sell goods and services overseas," she said.
"We have invested, not only in Project Kelvin, but in other significant areas such as the Next Generation Broadband Project and the Northern Ireland Broadband Fund, to create a world-class telecommunications infrastructure.
"I would encourage Northern Ireland companies to exploit the business opportunities offered by our core telecoms infrastructure for the benefit of the local economy."
The new international link can be accessed from across Northern Ireland and completes a dream for one of Belfast's iconic scientists who also had a long connection with Scotland where he first went to university.
Lord Kelvin was commemorated on the £20 note issued by the Clydesdale Bank in 1971 and his image appears on the bank's current £100 note.
Appropriately he is shown holding another of his inventions, the adjustable compass and in the background is a map of the original Victorian era transatlantic cable.
(BMcC/GK)
Today's Project Kelvin involved connecting a submarine cable to the Hibernia North Transatlantic cable located 22 miles off the north coast of Ireland.
Initially, the cable was brought ashore in June 2009 and work continued on the building and testing of the terrestrial infrastructure until the summer and now, Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that the hugely innovative link has been completed.
Named after Lord Kelvin, whose Kelvin (Absolute) Temperature Scale is at the heart of all scientific calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature, is commemorated already in his home city of Belfast, where a stature stands in Botanic Gardens to the great man, (pictured).
William Thomson, the 1st Baron Kelvin had a career as an electric telegraph engineer and inventor, which ensured his wealth, fame and honour.
Appropriately, his work on the first ever-transatlantic telegraph project saw him knighted by Queen Victoria, becoming Sir William Thomson before he died in 1907.
Now the great man lives again in this 21st Century project that has been co-financed under the EU's INTERREG IVA programme 2007-2013 and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI).
In conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) in the Republic of Ireland, the €30m contract was awarded to Hibernia Atlantic in December 2008.
NI Minister Arlene Foster said: "The completion of the Project Kelvin network means Northern Ireland has a fast, low cost and resilient telecommunications link to North America, with improved connectivity in Europe.
"Northern Ireland businesses now have access to the same international telecoms services found in major cities like Amsterdam and New York.
"In the current economic climate, we must give every possible advantage to Northern Ireland companies to enable them to compete in the global export market. This international telecommunication capacity provides increased opportunities to sell goods and services overseas," she said.
"We have invested, not only in Project Kelvin, but in other significant areas such as the Next Generation Broadband Project and the Northern Ireland Broadband Fund, to create a world-class telecommunications infrastructure.
"I would encourage Northern Ireland companies to exploit the business opportunities offered by our core telecoms infrastructure for the benefit of the local economy."
The new international link can be accessed from across Northern Ireland and completes a dream for one of Belfast's iconic scientists who also had a long connection with Scotland where he first went to university.
Lord Kelvin was commemorated on the £20 note issued by the Clydesdale Bank in 1971 and his image appears on the bank's current £100 note.
Appropriately he is shown holding another of his inventions, the adjustable compass and in the background is a map of the original Victorian era transatlantic cable.
(BMcC/GK)
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Click here for the latest headlines.
24 June 2009
Foster To Seek Canadian Investment
Canada is to be in focus next week as the country is targeted for increased commercial development. With around 70 companies already exporting across the Atlantic, the NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster will fly out to promote trade and tourism links with Northern Ireland and meet existing investors.
Foster To Seek Canadian Investment
Canada is to be in focus next week as the country is targeted for increased commercial development. With around 70 companies already exporting across the Atlantic, the NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster will fly out to promote trade and tourism links with Northern Ireland and meet existing investors.
21 January 2010
DETI Slammed Over Broadband Hubs
A member of the Northern Ireland Assembly has said Newry has been badly treated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry in making decisions on high-speed broadband hubs for Project Kelvin SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley raised it in an Adjournment Debate motion.
DETI Slammed Over Broadband Hubs
A member of the Northern Ireland Assembly has said Newry has been badly treated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry in making decisions on high-speed broadband hubs for Project Kelvin SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley raised it in an Adjournment Debate motion.
23 July 2009
Project Kelvin's Derry Landfall Welcomed
The new multi-million pound telecommunications link across the Atlantic has received a high profile welcome. Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster (pictured) warmly greeted the decision by Hibernia Atlantic to build Project Kelvin's Telehouse at Fort George - the former army base - in Londonderry.
Project Kelvin's Derry Landfall Welcomed
The new multi-million pound telecommunications link across the Atlantic has received a high profile welcome. Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster (pictured) warmly greeted the decision by Hibernia Atlantic to build Project Kelvin's Telehouse at Fort George - the former army base - in Londonderry.
04 January 2012
Recognition For First APM Register Project Professionals
The Association for Project Management (APM) has recognised the first Northern Ireland recipients of its new APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) designation.
Recognition For First APM Register Project Professionals
The Association for Project Management (APM) has recognised the first Northern Ireland recipients of its new APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) designation.
20 April 2010
Durkan Welcomes Telehouse Handover
There's been a major step-forward in an international project to connect the North West to the USA. SDLP Foyle MLA, Mark Durkan has warmly greeted the news that the Department for Social Development (DSD) has now officially handed over the Project Kelvin Telehouse to Hibernia Atlantic who will now complete the fit-out of the facility.
Durkan Welcomes Telehouse Handover
There's been a major step-forward in an international project to connect the North West to the USA. SDLP Foyle MLA, Mark Durkan has warmly greeted the news that the Department for Social Development (DSD) has now officially handed over the Project Kelvin Telehouse to Hibernia Atlantic who will now complete the fit-out of the facility.
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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.
