The following e-mail will be sent on your behalf.

 has sent the following story to you from ElectricNews.net.

The story is available from https://electricnews.net/news.html?code=7919954

Northern Ireland gives broadband a boost
Monday, June 24 2002
by Andrew McLindon


Northern Ireland is looking to encourage the development of broadband
applications and technologies by businesses and organisations with the launch of
a STG2 million scheme.

The North's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, MLA,
launched the fund on Monday with a call for expressions of interest from public
and private organisations looking to develop "innovative broadband flagship
applications, content and services." 



The Minister said that the invitation was designed to stimulate "innovative
ideas and novel suggestions" for proposals that could sustain a broadband
economy in Northern Ireland. He added that if the proposals were of a high enough
standard, he would then issue a detailed request for proposals for which
approximately STG2 million would be provided. Successful applicants will be
expected to also provide financing for their projects.   



"We all need to think imaginatively about the way the development of broadband
technologies can make businesses more productive and competitive," commented the
Minister in a statement.



According to Dr. Trevor Forsythe of the Telecoms Policy Unit in the Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), such an initiative is necessary because
broadband use by Northern Ireland businesses is relatively low. "Take-up of
broadband by local companies has not been as high as the Department would like,
but businesses here are beginning to see the benefits of broadband access," he
told ElectricNews.Net. 



In addition, Minister Empey said that later this year he will, subject to the
resolution of any state aid issues, issue an invitation to tender for local
access projects capable of furthering the development of a broadband-based
economic development. Dr. Forsythe commented that this initiative was needed to
ensure that broadband was made more available in rural areas.  



Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive has launched several other initiatives
in the last couple of months that have been designed to increase the take-up of
broadband services by companies based there.  



In January, the North's Industrial Research & Technology Unit (IRTU) established
a pilot scheme for SMEs that allowed them to avail of grant support of up to
STG1,500 if they took up the offer of broadband access via satellite. Under the
programme, the IRTU provided funding of up to 50 percent of the set-up and first
year's running costs. 



The scheme was only open to businesses with up to 250 employees and turnover of
no more than EUR40 million. In addition, businesses couldn't reside in areas
where ADSL services were already available to them.



According to the DETI, it has received 75 applications for the scheme and has
issued letters of offer to 50 companies. 



The Department also made a recent call, under its Broadband Fund, for pilot
demonstration projects and feasibility studies aimed at increasing broadband
provision throughout Northern Ireland. It received 51 applications for pilot
study initiatives.



Organisations have up until 27 September 2002 to table their ideas and
suggestions for the development of broadband in Northern Ireland.