Ulster Farmers’ Union welcomes Fibrus deal

Project Stratum is set to radically transform connectivity by extending gigabit capable full fibre broadband infrastructure to approximately rural 79,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland.

After a rigorous procurement process by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Department of the Economy and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committed £165m to the initiative, which will also help ensure that every home in the region has access to full fibre broadband by 2025.

In recent years the farming community has seen a major shift in the need for reliable broadband, as many administrative services, such as tax returns and application processes, have transferred exclusively online.

Speaking from his farm in County Antrim, Ulster Farmers’ Union president Victor Chestnutt said: “Farm businesses have had to quickly adapt to digital technologies to operate productively and effectively. However, connectivity is a major obstacle due to poor or even non-existent broadband and mobile coverage in many rural areas. This announcement is a significant step forward for our members.

“As well as an essential tool for business, better broadband service will also benefit farming families. During lockdown the need for a reliable broadband connection increased, with many rural families dependent on it to stay connected with others, for work and school.

“Lockdown has also accelerated the number of public and private sector services that are now entirely digital.”

Providing a service to the agriculture industry, Fibrus is a corporate partner of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

The firm has already invested over £46million in full fibre infrastructure across the region, having completed installations and gone live in areas including Dundrum, Castlewellan, Ballynahinch, Killyleagh and Maghera.

David Armstrong, Sales and Marketing Director at Fibrus added: “Fibrus is committed to supporting home owners and business in rural areas of Northern Ireland, particularly our agri sector and farming communities. We have a strong partnership with the rural community and we understand the importance of ensuring these businesses are connected digitally, so they can trade and compete locally, nationally and globally.

“While we’re excited to bring hyper fast broadband to rural communities in Northern Ireland - meaning high speeds, uninterrupted streaming and no buffering for customers - we’re also delighted to be providing up to 500 new jobs in the areas we operate.

“This announcement is going to be transformational for farming businesses and the people who live and work here too.”

For more information on when full fibre broadband will be coming to rural areas as part of Project Stratum, visit www.hyperfastni.com.