Scheme aims to up broadband speeds

A trial was launched last week to improve broadband speeds in rural households in Crumlin.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Blair, launches the Rural Superfast Broadband Scheme with Stephen Frith (BDUK), Councillor Paul Michael, Simon Barrett (Avanti Communications), Councillor Roisin Lynch, Councillor Annmarie Logue, Councillor Matthew Magill and Alderman Thomas Burns.Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Blair, launches the Rural Superfast Broadband Scheme with Stephen Frith (BDUK), Councillor Paul Michael, Simon Barrett (Avanti Communications), Councillor Roisin Lynch, Councillor Annmarie Logue, Councillor Matthew Magill and Alderman Thomas Burns.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Blair, launches the Rural Superfast Broadband Scheme with Stephen Frith (BDUK), Councillor Paul Michael, Simon Barrett (Avanti Communications), Councillor Roisin Lynch, Councillor Annmarie Logue, Councillor Matthew Magill and Alderman Thomas Burns.

The Rural Superfast Broadband Scheme run by Avanti Communications is currently available to homes and businesses, with slow or no broadband, in areas of County Antrim and Fermanagh.

The DETI and government funded pilot scheme launched at Crumlin Leisure Centre is aimed at helping households who receive slow, unreliable connections from their current suppliers and those who have no access and live too far away from the telephone exchange, to improve their connectivity.

Households have until the end of March to sign up for the package which costs £25 per month with no equipment or connection charges.

It is especially aimed at people living in areas of poor connectivity.

Residents can try the service out themselves.

All you have to do is take your laptop/tablet/mobile phone to Crumlin Leisure Centre and get the login details from members of staff.

The scheme offers a maximum of 1,000 subsidised satellite broadband installations and packages to households and businesses across the pilot area.

Councillor Thomas Burns welcomed the scheme.

“There is a real demand to see broadband provison in the Crumlin area improved,” he said.

Councillor Anne Marie Logue said,: “This is a welcome pilot scheme but I would urge the minister to continue to look at how broadband provision can be accelerated in South Antrim.”

For more information contact Europasat on 0808 252 0228 or www.europasat.com; www.satellitesolutionsworldwide.com or Avonline Broadband 0808 301 5366 www.avonlinebroadband.com; Antrim and Newtownabbey council on 028 9446 3113 / 028 9034 0000.

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