Improved broadband access in Tyrone

BROADBAND supplier Openreach has announced it’s extending its full fibre service to towns and villages across Tyrone.

Eleven areas across the county have been pinpointed for improved broadband within the next two years.

Residents in Aughnacloy, Ballygawley, Carrickmore, Castlederg, Coalisland, Donaghmore, Dromore, Fintona, Fivemiletown, Magheramason and Newtownstewart will be able to sign up to access high speed broadband.

Full fibre broadband gives homes and businesses access to broadband at speeds of up to 1Gbps, meaning faster connections and a more reliable service.

Throughout the North, 94 locations have been identified by the internet giant which is a division of BT, and just last week, the company announced the recruitment of more than 100 apprentice engineers over the coming months to support the major project.

Welcoming the announcement, local councillor Steven Edwards said, “One of the issues that people contact me most about is Broadband.

“A lot of rural areas across the county have very poor coverage, and when lots of people had to work from home recently because of Covid-19 this became even more apparent.

“I am pleased to hear that Openreach announcement. There are however still lots of areas not covered, and I’ll be lobbying to make sure they are part of the Project Stratum upgrades.”

Mairead Meyer, director of Openreach Northern Ireland, said, “Openreach is committed to bringing ultra-reliable and ultrafast broadband to as many people as we can, as quickly as possible.

“This is important to us as we look to play a role in the economic recovery and long-term growth of Northern Ireland.

“We’re hopeful that with continued investment in the ‘full fibre’ broadband network, there will be benefits for everyone right across Northern Ireland, no matter where they live, work or study,” said Ms Meyer.