FSB welcomes high speed rural broadband

FSB has welcomed the announcement of high speed broadband delivery to specific rural areas in Northern Ireland, but reiterate that there is a need for 100% high speed broadband coverage for fair competition.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jan 2016, 06:50 BST

A pilot scheme sponsored by the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme, announced today, will deliver high speed satellite broadband to rural customers in Counties Fermanagh and Antrim.

Wilfred Mitchell, FSB Policy Chair for Northern Ireland, said: “FSB welcomes this announcement having called for increased support and investment to achieve 100% broadband speed throughout Northern Ireland and therefore urge small businesses in the designated areas to check if they are one of the 15,000 properties eligible to avail of the scheme.

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“Our members have reported persistent difficulties in accessing consistent high speed broadband in rural areas throughout Northern Ireland. Businesses, through geographical isolation, that are in particular need of reliable connectivity to enable growth and communicating with customers and suppliers.

“FSB urges that the Better Broadband Scheme will be made available throughout the remainder of rural areas in Northern Ireland, currently experiencing slow or nonexistent broadband speeds, to realise the potential of local small businesses competing throughout Northern Ireland, and beyond.”

l For more information and to check eligibility to the scheme log onto www.better-broadband.co.uk.

Related topics:Northern IrelandGovernmentCountiesAntrimFermanagh