Northern Ireland seeks to keep 100% broadband

The Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is seeking a broadband service provider to connect people without fixed-line access, as the country seeks to maintain its 100 per cent broadband coverage.

Currently, the department has a five-year contract with BT for a complete service, but this ends on March 31st 2009, which will not impact most broadband users but will affect those without a fixed-line connection.

Arlene Foster, telecoms minister, said: "I am determined that Northern Ireland should maintain its 100 per cent broadband availability status and those living in remote areas should continue to have access to broadband services at a reasonable cost.

"My department is therefore issuing an invitation to tender today for a service provider that can offer basic broadband services to those premises that are unable to access a fixed-line solution."

These customers currently receive broadband via satellite and will receive a letter from BT explaining the changes, along with a form which, when returned to DETI, will allow the department to register them for migration to the new service.