First beneficiaries of Project Stratum connected to Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed the announcement Fibrus Networks has connected its first customers to Next Generation Access broadband under Project Stratum.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds meets with Tara Hamill, one of the first beneficiaries of Project Stratum, and Chief Operating Officer for Fibrus Networks Ltd Conor Harrison.

Just three months into the awarding of the Project Stratum contract, the first OLT (Optical Line Termination) in Coalisland, County Tyrone is now live with the first customers connected.

Once completed Project Stratum, the £165million broadband improvement scheme, will radically transform rural broadband connectivity by extending gigabit capable full fibre broadband infrastructure to approximately 76,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland.

Commenting after speaking to Tara Hamill, one of the first beneficiaries of Project Stratum, the Minister said:

“In today’s world we are especially reliant on our broadband services and good connectivity. More and more of our work and leisure time is spent online and if you don’t have access to good broadband this can be a real issue. Speaking to Tara Hamill has underscored the difference Project Stratum can make to peoples lives and how it is bringing tangible benefits to householders.

“I know there are many communities, especially in rural areas, which have been waiting a long time for improvements in their broadband speeds. These first connections demonstrate Fibrus Networks have the capability and capacity to deliver full fibre solutions, with speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, to many rural premises transforming the broadband connectivity landscape for individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland.”

“I want to congratulate Fibrus Networks on reaching the first significant milestone and I look forward to hearing about their continued deployment in bringing the benefits of Next Generation Access broadband to many more neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland."

Chief Operating Officer for Fibrus Networks Ltd Conor Harrison added: 

“The logistical planning and immediate execution of this work is testament to the commitment and dedication of Fibrus, as well as the skill of our team who are equipped and ready to deliver full fibre broadband to the people of Northern Ireland.”

UK Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said:

“Access to fast and reliable broadband is a central focus of our mission to build back better. The UK government has invested £150million in Project Stratum to roll out top-of-the-range speeds not just to towns and cities but to rural communities across Northern Ireland. It's great news for thousands of people and I'm excited to see the first customers plugged in to these game-changing gigabit connections."

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption: Economy Minister Diane Dodds meets with Tara Hamill, one of the first beneficiaries of Project Stratum, and Chief Operating Officer for Fibrus Networks Ltd Conor Harrison.
2. The funding for Project Stratum is £150million which was allocated to the Department of the Economy by Her Majesty’s Treasury as a result of the Confidence and Supply financial annex. Additional funding of £15million was secured through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk.
4. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI.
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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