ECONOMY Minister Simon Hamilton says discussions are ongoing with the communications industry on broadband and mobile phone issues in Fermanagh-south Tyrone.
He told SDLP MLA Richie McPhillips that his officials meet regularly with representatives of the major telecommunications providers and ongoing investment by mobile network operators has led to increases in mobile coverage across Northern Ireland. But he added: “However, I recognise that services still need to be improved.”
“In June, BT reported that 5,607 premises have benefited from the Northern Ireland broadband improvement project in Fermanagh-south Tyrone, and 1,390 have taken up new broadband services. BT also reported that the superfast roll-out project has improved services to more than 500 premises in the Fermanagh and Dungannon areas,” said Minister Hamilton.
He said that where fixed line broadband is not viable, other technology alternatives are available. In particular, for premises that continue to have access to services of less than two megabits per second, his Department offers assistance with the cost of installing a basic broadband service using satellite or wireless technology.
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton asked the Minister if he was aware of concerns raised by Border councils through their Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) report ‘Fibre at a Crossroads’ which she said “outlines many practical solutions to providing greater connectivity and achieving equitability recompense from BT for its failure to adequately support my constituents.”
Minister Hamilton said he recently met with a delegation of ICBAN representatives, which was led by Democratic Unionist Councillor Paul Robinson.
“I have a lot of sympathy for the points that they made about ensuring that people in Border counties, particularly Fermanagh-south Tyrone, and other parts of Northern Ireland have acceptable broadband speeds.”
Lord Maurice Morrow asked if “black spots and gaps” in broadband provision had been identified.
“I think that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, if it has not started, is about to start its audit.”
Sinn Fein MLA Michelle Gildernew asked Minister Hamilton what he can do to maximise connectivity to black spots and hard to reach areas in Fermanagh-south Tyrone.
“I have visited some companies, including some in the Member’s constituency, that sometimes struggle to get the speed that they require to do business in an increasingly closely connected global economy. We are looking at options that, although some considerable investment would be required, would give Northern Ireland back its competitive advantage in broadband connectivity,” he said.