Project Kelvin - Direct International Communications Link - Evaluation 2015
Date published:
The Department for the Economy has made available the evaluation into Project Kelvin, conducted by Cogent Management Consulting. Project Kelvin was a project led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) on behalf of itself and the Irish Department for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) which led to the installation of a submarine telecommunications cable connecting the north coast of Northern Ireland to a transatlantic submarine cable linking North America with Southport in England, and onwards to continental Europe.
The project cost €29.6m in public funding, and was carried out between January 2009 and August 2010. The review by Cogent Management Consulting concludes that Project Kelvin appears to represent value for money, and that it has:
- benefitted both businesses and citizens within the INTERREG IVA eligible region of the island of Ireland; the benefits of Project Kelvin have also extended to businesses throughout the Island of Ireland.
- provided adequate digital infrastructure to ensure that the INTERREG IVA eligible region of the island of Ireland is not disadvantaged (in relation to broadband connectivity) compared to other regions as a place to invest in, do business in, work in or live in.
- provided the platform to achieve economic and social benefits within the eligible region through the optimal use of digital technology.
- contributed to the achievement of many policy objectives that exist on both sides of the Irish border, including the development of modern and efficient telecommunications infrastructure.
- enhanced the level of competition in the telecoms market within the eligible region.
As this report was produced by a third party prior to 2018, parts of it may not be accessible to assistive technology. If you need further assistance please contact: telecoms@economy-ni.gov.uk.