HOMES and businesses in another 94 rural towns and villages in the north are in line for full fibre broadband under new plans revealed by digital infrastructure provider Openreach.
The locations - stretching from Kilrea to Lisbellaw and from Warrenpoint to Fintona - will benefit from the more reliable one gigabit mains broadband by March 2022.
It brings to 124 the number of Northern Ireland locations included in Openreach’s build programme, which is currently reaching 750 premises every day.
And it comes a week after Openreach confirmed that it recruiting more than 100 apprentice engineers over the coming months to support its increasing workload.
Mairead Meyer, regional director of Openreach, said: “As one of the biggest investors in infrastructure in Northern Ireland, we're committed to bringing ultra-reliable and ultrafast broadband to as many people as we can, as quickly as possible, and are delighted to announce this further 94 locations in our build programme.
“This is important as we look to play a role in the economic recovery and long-term growth of Northern Ireland.
“Ensuring we’re balanced in our build programme is central to this, and our engineers are building to more than 750 homes every day in both rural and urban areas.”
Welcoming Openreach's announcement, Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “As we look to recovery and make plans for future economic development and growth, it's vitally important our rural towns and villages are not left behind.
“The continued investment and roll out of full fibre broadband will bring greater opportunities for everyone - from wholesalers and independent retailers to suppliers to the retail sector – leading to improved digitalisation and help to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.”
OPENREACH BUILD LOCATIONS
Co. Antrim
Aghalee
Aghagallon
Ahoghill
Armoy
Ballycarry
Ballycastle
Ballygally
Broughshane
Bushmills
Cloughmills
Crumlin
Cullybackey
Cushendall
Dervock
Glenavy
Kells
Maghaberry
Portglenone
Randalstown
Rasharkin
Templepatrick
Toome
Whitehead
Co. Armagh
Bessbrook
Camlough
Charlemont
Crossmaglen
Forkhill
Keady
Laurelvale
Markethill
Richill
Tandragee
Co. Down
Ardglass
Annahilt
Annalong
Ballykinler
Ballywalter
Ballyhalbert
Castlewellan
Crossgar
Donaghacloney
Dromara
Dromore
Dundrum
Gilford
Greyabbey
Hillsborough
Hilltown
Kilkeel
Killyleagh
Millisle
Moira
Magheralin
Portaferry
Portavogie
Rathfriland
Rostrevor
Strangford
Waringstown
Warrenpoint
The Burren
Co. Fermanagh
Ballinamallard
Bellanaleck
Derrygonnelly
Irvinestown
Lisbellaw
Lisnaskea
Maguiresbridge
Newtownbutler
Co. Derry
Ballyronan
Bellaghy
Castledawson
Castlerock
Claudy
Draperstown
Dungiven
Feeny
Garvagh
Kilrea
Maghera
Moneymore
Swatragh
Co. Tyrone
Aughnacloy
Ballygawley
Carrickmore
Castlederg
Coalisland
Donaghmore
Dromore
Fintona
Fivemiletown
Magheramason
Newtownstewart
