CAFRE campuses to take part in pilot scheme to improve broadband in Counties Antrim and Fermanagh

The ninister said: “I am pleased to say that Greenmount and Enniskillen campuses will be used as demonstration sites so that people can see for themselves what is being offered through a number of subsidised satellite broadband installations and packages to households.

“There are still isolated areas with poor broadband speeds and this can often be an issue for people, farmers and businesses in rural areas. Satellite broadband offers a real alternative to rural dwellers to improve their broadband speeds.”

The pilot broadband scheme at the two CAFRE campuses will allow students, staff and visitors access to free, faster broadband service through satellite solutions. The pilot, which has been running for a few months in some community facilities, will run until 31 March.

She went on to say: “As more and more government services are delivered through broadband, faster broadband will help deliver the services our rural people need. I would encourage people in Antrim and Fermanagh to try it out to see if they can benefit from this programme.”

The service, run by Avanti Communications 30Mbps, has been funded through a government scheme and is available to homes and businesses, as well as community and voluntary organisations, in Counties Antrim and Fermanagh with slow or no broadband.

The minister concluded: “I would encourage all those who are eligible in Antrim and Fermanagh to consider this subsidised superfast broadband scheme before the deadline at the end of March 2016 to benefit fully from the scheme.”