03/12/2009
Broadband Boosts Rural NI
A fresh investment of almost £50m in 'Next Generation Broadband' will be a great boost to towns, villages and the entire rural community across Northern Ireland.
According to Stormont Agriculture & Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew, (pictured), this fillip includes a £1.5million contribution from her department and will see a big improvement in the telecommunications infrastructure.
It will allow the introduction over the next 18 months of new technology to increase broadband speeds.
"This will be well received throughout as it will bring higher speed broadband to many by 2011.
"It is something which will be warmly welcomed by farmers and rural dwellers as there are some who have difficulties in accessing the technology at the moment.
"It will be a big advance and I welcome the fact that I have been able to play our part by investing around £1.5million. It will make a real difference to the rural economy," she said.
"I hope this project will overcome the barriers some rural communities currently face in accessing broadband. It is increasingly an important means of ensuring access to services and social inclusion for those living in rural areas.
"It is my role to champion rural issues across the Executive and I think this initiative is an excellent step forward," she continued.
"Access to high speed high quality broadband services is an important tool in supporting rural businesses to maintain their competitiveness and develop new market opportunities.
"Accessible rural broadband is also increasingly important as a means of ensuring access to services and social inclusion for those living in rural areas throughout the north of Ireland.
"This project is an example of which can be achieved from departments and agencies working together to improve equality of services in both rural and urban areas."
BT is investing £29m with further input coming from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the EU.
The contract will involve the deployment of more fibre optic cable deeper into urban districts, towns, villages and countryside.
There will be upgrades to equipment across 157 exchanges and the introduction of new technology to increase broadband speeds to businesses.
(BMcC/KMcA)
According to Stormont Agriculture & Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew, (pictured), this fillip includes a £1.5million contribution from her department and will see a big improvement in the telecommunications infrastructure.
It will allow the introduction over the next 18 months of new technology to increase broadband speeds.
"This will be well received throughout as it will bring higher speed broadband to many by 2011.
"It is something which will be warmly welcomed by farmers and rural dwellers as there are some who have difficulties in accessing the technology at the moment.
"It will be a big advance and I welcome the fact that I have been able to play our part by investing around £1.5million. It will make a real difference to the rural economy," she said.
"I hope this project will overcome the barriers some rural communities currently face in accessing broadband. It is increasingly an important means of ensuring access to services and social inclusion for those living in rural areas.
"It is my role to champion rural issues across the Executive and I think this initiative is an excellent step forward," she continued.
"Access to high speed high quality broadband services is an important tool in supporting rural businesses to maintain their competitiveness and develop new market opportunities.
"Accessible rural broadband is also increasingly important as a means of ensuring access to services and social inclusion for those living in rural areas throughout the north of Ireland.
"This project is an example of which can be achieved from departments and agencies working together to improve equality of services in both rural and urban areas."
BT is investing £29m with further input coming from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the EU.
The contract will involve the deployment of more fibre optic cable deeper into urban districts, towns, villages and countryside.
There will be upgrades to equipment across 157 exchanges and the introduction of new technology to increase broadband speeds to businesses.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 February 2024
Alliance Calls For Swifter Implementation On Gynaecological Services
Alliance has urged for swifter implementation of gynaecological services in Northern Ireland. Although welcoming the recommendations in the "Getting It Right First Time" report on gynaecology across Northern Ireland, Alliance Health representatives have warned that implementation is already lagging.
Alliance Calls For Swifter Implementation On Gynaecological Services
Alliance has urged for swifter implementation of gynaecological services in Northern Ireland. Although welcoming the recommendations in the "Getting It Right First Time" report on gynaecology across Northern Ireland, Alliance Health representatives have warned that implementation is already lagging.
26 March 2024
Health And Social Care Easter Arrangements Outlined
The Department of Health has announced arrangements for health and social care services over the Easter holiday period, encouraging everyone to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
Health And Social Care Easter Arrangements Outlined
The Department of Health has announced arrangements for health and social care services over the Easter holiday period, encouraging everyone to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
06 March 2024
Dept Of Health Extends Counselling Contract With Nexus
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that it has extended a contract with Nexus for counselling services. Nexus was awarded a three-year contract in April 2019 to provide a specialist counselling service for victims of sexual abuse, with an option for two one-year extensions. The second of these extensions ceases on 31 March 2024.
Dept Of Health Extends Counselling Contract With Nexus
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that it has extended a contract with Nexus for counselling services. Nexus was awarded a three-year contract in April 2019 to provide a specialist counselling service for victims of sexual abuse, with an option for two one-year extensions. The second of these extensions ceases on 31 March 2024.
04 March 2024
'Deeply Concerning' DoH Has Ended Nexus NI Contract – SF
Sinn Féin has said that it is "deeply concerning" that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services. Linda Dillon MLA said: "I am deeply concerned that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services for victims of sexual abuse and violence.
'Deeply Concerning' DoH Has Ended Nexus NI Contract – SF
Sinn Féin has said that it is "deeply concerning" that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services. Linda Dillon MLA said: "I am deeply concerned that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services for victims of sexual abuse and violence.
01 March 2024
Other News In Brief
Appeal For Information On Burglary And Attempted ATM Theft In Jonesborough The PSNI's Organised Crime Unit have issued an appeal for information on a burglary and attempted ATM theft in Jonesborough.
Other News In Brief
Appeal For Information On Burglary And Attempted ATM Theft In Jonesborough The PSNI's Organised Crime Unit have issued an appeal for information on a burglary and attempted ATM theft in Jonesborough.