Homes will have 100% Fibre Broadband by 2025

Full fibre broadband is key to unlocking the full potential of the digital revolution, in particular in regional and rural communities. It is often referred to as the key infrastructure for the 21st century much in the way it was railways in the 19th century and electricity in the 20th.

To date most consumers have received their broadband through networks that were originally designed to carry phone or TV traffic whereas Full Fibre networks are designed exclusively to carry broadband. They can be seen as “mains” broadband. As yet no major region of Western Europe has achieved full fibre penetration and by doing so Northern Ireland will put itself in a strong position to sustain a transformation in the local economy.

Having already invested and completed full fibre networks in various towns in South Down, Fibrus is ahead of schedule on its earlier promise to build full fibre broadband in over 100 towns across NI. The plan is based on a detailed analysis undertaken by the company of existing and planned full fibre networks across the Northern Ireland.

Conal Henry Founder and Chair said: “Northern Ireland customers have already spent over £2 billion on Broadband, but up until recently it seemed that only 60% of NI homes would get full fibre. Now, with Fibrus’ investment in regional towns and timely interventions by the NI Executive in areas that are not commercially viable coverage is expected to grow to 88%. Today we are committing to ensure the remaining 12% gap will get filled buy 2025.

“The truth is that relying on a copper company to build our full fibre future is akin to waiting on the canal companies to build the railways. Only proper platform competition can stimulate investment and Fibrus are here in NI to deliver exactly that.”

The status quo (phone and cable) networks have, to date, only committed to connect 61% of NI homes between them and they have largely contained themselves to Belfast and 10 other large towns

It is projected that recent investments by Fibrus and the expected impact of state supported projects in areas that wouldn’t otherwise be commercially viable will increase this coverage to 88%.

Fibrus now wants to ensure the last remaining gap gets filled, to achieve ubiquitous Fibre coverage of 100%. The company has commenced a detailed planning and design exercise for each of these homes and is confident that, with continued regulatory and investment supports, these homes can and will be connected. The net result being that all homes in NI can look forward, with confidence, to a full fibre future by 2025.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you