WATCH: multi-million pound broadband boost for NI
A £165 million investment was announced today (Wednesday) by the Economy Minister to improve broadband in rural areas.
Project Stratum aims to bring next generation broadband services to premises across Northern Ireland currently unable to access speeds of 30 megabits per second or greater.
It is part of the UK Government’s plan to provide gigabit-capable broadband to the whole of the UK.
Minister Diane Dodds congratulated Fibrus Networks Limited which secured the contract.
She said: “After a competitive and very robust procurement process, I am pleased to announce that the contract has been awarded to Fibrus.
"This announcement means that we are one step closer to bringing next generation broadband services to those businesses and people who need it most.
"Fibrus proposes a full fibre solution, capable of offering speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second to almost 97% of premises in the target intervention area. Deployment of the new infrastructure is expected to commence immediately and implementation will run until March 2024.
“While always recognised as important, the pandemic and restrictions we have all had to live under have underscored the importance of broadband connectivity. Project Stratum will transform the broadband connectivity landscape for many of our citizens and businesses across primarily rural areas of Northern Ireland.”
The Minister added: “The investment of £150million by my Department, combined with £15million from DAERA and the investment by Fibrus in the project, will deliver gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure to more than 76,000 premises in the intervention area.
"My Department will work closely with the supplier and, through continued engagement with DCMS, will deliver infrastructure to serve all premises in the target intervention area, including those not currently in scope, as soon as possible.”