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26/09/2008
BT Boss Meets Robinson Over Broadband Investment
There has been a high level discussion on the way forward in internet telecommunications in Northern Ireland.
BT Chairman Sir Mike Rake met with First Minister Peter Robinson (pictured) at Stormont this week to discuss harnessing ICT technology in a way that could potentially transform the public sector.
A delegation of Northern Ireland Executive Ministers and senior officials also met with the top BT boss to discuss the telecommunication firm's role in assisting the Province's international competitiveness.
As well as meeting Mr Robinson, the BT Chairman also had discussions with Ministers Arlene Foster and Sir Reg Empey and the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Bruce Robinson.
Sir Mike discussed BT's vision for a better communications infrastructure, enhancing employment and skills levels in Northern Ireland.
The visit follows BT's recent announcement of plans to invest £1.5 billion to roll out fibre-based, super-fast broadband across NI, with a target date of 2012.
The massive programme is expected to deliver a range of services with top speeds of up to 100 megabytes with the potential for speeds of more than 1,000 megabytes in the future.
The investment forms part of BT's wider strategy of delivering next generation broadband services nationwide.
BT Chief Executive Ian Livingston, announcing the national investment in July, said: "This is a bold step by BT and we need others to be just as bold. We are keen to partner with people who share our vision for the next phase of the broadband revolution.
"We want to work with local and regional bodies to decide where and when we should focus the deployment. Our aim is that urban and rural areas alike will benefit from our investment."
Howeverm, the BT initiative is not the only one being undertaken in NI.
In January, Virgin Media supplied 180 Housing Association tenants in Belfast with high-speed internet access on a trial project.
The new development, on the site of the former North Cricket and Rugby Club on the Ormeau Road, was provided with infrastructure capable of delivering 20 megabytes per second - or greater - broadband services.
The trial specifically looked at the cost, technical and practical issues involved in installing infrastructure capable of delivering high speed broadband.
Two separate infrastructure designs were deployed - fibre to the cabinet and fibre to the home - allowing direct comparison between the two.
Alan McLeod, New Build Development Officer at Virgin Media, said at the launch: "We're proud to be contributing to this project to help shape the broadband strategy for Northern Ireland."
See: High-Speed Broadband For Belfast Tenants
See: NI set for 100% broadband access
(PR)(BMcC)
BT Chairman Sir Mike Rake met with First Minister Peter Robinson (pictured) at Stormont this week to discuss harnessing ICT technology in a way that could potentially transform the public sector.
A delegation of Northern Ireland Executive Ministers and senior officials also met with the top BT boss to discuss the telecommunication firm's role in assisting the Province's international competitiveness.
As well as meeting Mr Robinson, the BT Chairman also had discussions with Ministers Arlene Foster and Sir Reg Empey and the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Bruce Robinson.
Sir Mike discussed BT's vision for a better communications infrastructure, enhancing employment and skills levels in Northern Ireland.
The visit follows BT's recent announcement of plans to invest £1.5 billion to roll out fibre-based, super-fast broadband across NI, with a target date of 2012.
The massive programme is expected to deliver a range of services with top speeds of up to 100 megabytes with the potential for speeds of more than 1,000 megabytes in the future.
The investment forms part of BT's wider strategy of delivering next generation broadband services nationwide.
BT Chief Executive Ian Livingston, announcing the national investment in July, said: "This is a bold step by BT and we need others to be just as bold. We are keen to partner with people who share our vision for the next phase of the broadband revolution.
"We want to work with local and regional bodies to decide where and when we should focus the deployment. Our aim is that urban and rural areas alike will benefit from our investment."
Howeverm, the BT initiative is not the only one being undertaken in NI.
In January, Virgin Media supplied 180 Housing Association tenants in Belfast with high-speed internet access on a trial project.
The new development, on the site of the former North Cricket and Rugby Club on the Ormeau Road, was provided with infrastructure capable of delivering 20 megabytes per second - or greater - broadband services.
The trial specifically looked at the cost, technical and practical issues involved in installing infrastructure capable of delivering high speed broadband.
Two separate infrastructure designs were deployed - fibre to the cabinet and fibre to the home - allowing direct comparison between the two.
Alan McLeod, New Build Development Officer at Virgin Media, said at the launch: "We're proud to be contributing to this project to help shape the broadband strategy for Northern Ireland."
See: High-Speed Broadband For Belfast Tenants
See: NI set for 100% broadband access
(PR)(BMcC)
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High-Speed Broadband For Belfast Tenants
180 Housing association tenants in Belfast will have access to high speed services following a trial involving new houses on the Ormeau Road.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
