Northern Ireland launches Broadband Fund

Economy Minister Arlene Foster revealed that the Broadband Fund will be used to support companies which are carrying out technology trials, with a particular focus on encouraging the spread of the technology in rural areas.

The Broadband Fund represents an opportunity to further develop Northern Ireland's already world-class telecommunications infrastructure

Arlene Foster

Economy Minister

The fund, which is financed under the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, will be given to firms which are examining ways to increase the delivery and application of broadband, rather than those researching the actual technology.

Ms Foster commented: "The Broadband Fund represents an opportunity to further develop Northern Ireland's already world-class telecommunications infrastructure, to support the growth of local businesses and efforts to attract foreign direct investment to the region.

She also said the delivery of the technology into rural areas is high on the agenda of the Northern Ireland assembly and suggested successful results could have applications for the telecommunication sectors of other countries.

Earlier this month, Ms Foster announced £4.9 million in funding for the Carbon Trust, to examine ways to help Northern Irish companies adopt low-carbon technologies and cut their emissions.