Members of the public, businesses, groups and organisations are being advised use an address checker to see if they can get faster broadband.
A broadband intervention scheme is being developed to improve connectivity for premises unable to access broadband services of at least 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps).
Use this address checker here to find out more information about the scheme as well as checking if premises qualify for inclusion in the project. You will get a response telling you if the address does qualify and what to do next.
The Public Review is part of the planned implementation of Project Gigabit in Northern Ireland. Project Gigabit is the UK Government’s flagship £5billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband.
The Department for the Economy is leading on the delivery of Project Gigabit in Northern Ireland, subject to final approvals in advance of a tender process. Following the Public Review, DfE will confirm the premises which are potentially eligible for intervention.
Nigel Robbins, Broadband Project Director at the Department for the Economy said: “High quality internet access is vital as we grow the economy. It supports daily activities from how we shop, study and work, to how we access public services. Businesses also need to know they have the best available broadband infrastructure as they trade locally or internationally. Fast and reliable broadband, in every part of Northern Ireland, is essential now and in the future.
“The Department’s goal is to ensure that the parts of Northern Ireland that need public intervention are targeted. The spread of identified premises for Project Gigabit are broad and mainly in rural areas. We are asking members of the public for their help in ensuring that the information the Department holds is as accurate as possible, which can be done by using our address checker and letting us know if they believe the information stated is incorrect.”
Project Gigabit will, like DfE’s broadband intervention scheme, Project Stratum, seek to ensure that homes and businesses not included in broadband suppliers’ plans have access to the digital connectivity they need.
Mr Robbins continued: “Both Project Gigabit and the Department’s Project Stratum will seek to ensure that premises across Northern Ireland, particularly those in rural areas, have access to the best available broadband services, future-proofing connectivity needs for generations to come.”
Project Gigabit’s capital requirements in Northern Ireland will be funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
More information on the Public Review is available at: www.economy-ni.gov.uk/
Nigel Robbins concluded: “As a result of ongoing commercial investment in broadband infrastructure, along with much-need public intervention, particularly in rural areas, Northern Ireland is likely to become the first part of the UK with near ubiquitous access to gigabit-capable broadband within the next three to four years, and will be in a position to capitalise on the long-term social and economic benefits that access to improved broadband can deliver to homes and businesses alike.”
