UP BEAT… Councillor Bernice Swift
PEOPLE here suffering from no or low broadband speeds could be set to receive a boost – after it was announced that over 45,000 premises across the North are to benefit from a new scheme.
The £24.5m investment sees BT deliver improved technologies and infrastructure here, and broadband ‘blackspots’ like Boho, Belcoo and Derrylin could be set to benefit.
The improvements are due to be implemented by December 2015 following an ‘extensive survey and design process that will take a number of months to complete.
BT will then begin re-engineering the network, which was designed for telephone calls, and changing it into a fibre rich, open access network.
Councillor Bernice Swift, whose consituency area of Erne West is badly hit by broadband coverage, described ‘years of seeking practical solutions’ over broadband coverage here.
“I am delighted that after years of seeking practical solutions to our complete lack of telecommunications that much-needed investment has arrived and I have already stated to the Minister that Fermanagh must be placed as a priority within DETI’s programme to improve broadband provision here.
“At this point, I await further detail on the actual roll-out and demand all re-engineering solutions for broadband provision which will benefit Fermanagh customers.”
Councillor Swift added that she felt the investment must roll-out to Erne West areas ‘as a priority’.
MLA for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Arlene Foster said that the announcement was a ‘further step’ in improving broadband services here.
“It will bring more choice and improve speeds to over 45,000 premises.
“As a result of previous investments by the Executive, many people across Northern Ireland enjoy some of the best telecoms services in the UK. However, there are areas of Northern Ireland where a fixed line solution is not possible for technical and commercial reasons. This means we have more work to do to ensure that everyone has access to broadband services,” she said.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Northern Ireland. It is another significant step in making broadband services more widely available to our citizens irrespective of where they live or operate their business. I sought and I have gained an assurance from BT that these improvements will be completed by December 2015 so that consumers and businesses will benefit from the investment as quickly as possible.”
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