Northern Ireland Amongst Worst Broadband

Some areas in Northern Ireland have the worst broadband connectivity, Ofcom has found.

20:10 03 May 2018

New data released by telecommunications regulator Ofcom reveals that some areas in Northern Ireland are the most badly-hit parts of the UK when it comes to getting a decent broadband connection. The report shows that 50,500 premises do not have access to at least 10Mbps download speed and at least 1Mbps upload speed.

 

The worst affected parts are Fermanagh and Omagh where 21per cent households still do not have decent broadband access.

 

But this is about to change. Northern Ireland is set to receive a £150million investment boost to its broadband network as part of the DUP’s confidence-and-supply agreement with the Conservative government.

 

Ofcom has also revealed that the situation in Northern Ireland is improving. It said that the number of households without access to basic broadband has decreased by 5,100 in the first few months of 2018.

 

In 2020, the USO minimum standards will take effect giving households and businesses the legal right to have access to decent broadband service.