Minister announces support for 14 broadband initiatives

Economy Minister Ian Pearson has announced support for 14 pioneering telecomm projects designed to promote the use of broadband in the private and public sectors.

Addressing the Institute of Directors, the Minister said the projects spearheaded a range of telecomms initiatives in Northern Ireland which put broadband at the centre of local economic and social agendas.

Outlining the support available to regional business, the Minister added: “There are tax incentives to help promote both telecomms and R&D initiatives in business. Demand side initiatives delivered by Invest Northern Ireland include the ‘e’ Solution Centre in Lisburn, ICT advisers, on-line support and pilot satellite projects in non-ADSL enabled areas.

“In addition, we are preparing a £16m call for local access projects which, subject to EU approval, will be announced in the New Year and we are combining the demand for broadband to achieve efficiency savings and stimulate the telecoms market in Northern Ireland.”

The 14 pioneering initiatives supported under the first Call of UK Broadband Fund include seven local district councils studying the feasibility into the provision, use and demand for broadband within their respective councils. The remainder are:

• Westernconnect: A trial to deploy a wireless broadband network in Derry
• Westernconnect: Development of case studies on broadband access business applications
• NI Advisory Committee on Telecommunications: A project to conduct research into the attitudes and awareness of broadband internet access technologies in NI
• StreamOn.net: Feasibility study into the Development of a Virtual Trade Fair and Business Broadcasting Channel
• KBLonline: A proposal to demonstrate broadband access in rural areas
• Internet Concepts with Westernconnect Ltd: A project to develop the ICT and broadband capabilities of the Construction and Engineering Sectors in the North West
• ACe Associates: Feasibility study into the deployment and use of a High Bandwidth Network across the Greater Belfast area

The projects, supported under the UK Broadband Fund, include business based clustering initiatives in both engineering and construction; the development of a virtual trade fair and business broadcasting channel; wireless hotspot trials and a range of pilot actions and feasibility studies, many in TSN and new TSN areas.

The UK Broadband Fund was announced by Douglas Alexander, the then e-Commerce Minister, in October 2001.

This £30m package of regional funds aims to boost the delivery of fast internet services through broadband technology to all parts of the UK. Northern Ireland received £1.46m as its share of the Fund.

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