Rural Broadband Project Complete

NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has said she is committed to addressing rural demand for high-speed broadband services.

The Minister was speaking as she announced the successful completion of the first two projects supported under the £1.9m Broadband Fund, which have been delivered by North West Electronics and Avanti Communications.

Launched in August 2008, the Broadband Fund has a specific rural focus, offering financial support to organisations undertaking broadband technology trials in Northern Ireland or offering solutions for the commercial delivery of "high speed, reliable broadband services". It is co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013.


The Minister said: "I launched the £1.9million Broadband Fund as a mechanism for piloting emerging technologies to keep Northern Ireland at the forefront of broadband evolution and to provide options for rural customers seeking cost-effective broadband solutions. The first two projects meet those objectives in full."

(NS/BMcC)