Write a commentConcerns about the deliverability of the Ultra-Fast Broadband investment packaged promised under the DUP-Tory Confidence and Supply arrangement saw MLA Justin McNulty meeting members of OFCOM earlier this week.
Mr McNulty explained, "Much has been made of the confidence and supply arrangement between the DUP and the Tories. They have pledged £150million for Ultra-Fast Broadband and there are large geographical areas, particularly in rural and border communities anxiously waiting for this investment. Business growth is stifled and residents are frustrated by the lack of progress on this issue."
The MLA has blamed an inactive government and stated that the lack of an Executive and Minister in place means that this project is going nowhere fast. "This is yet another painful reality of the failure of the DUP and Sinn Fein to get an Executive re-established."
63,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland do not receive 10 Mbps and this single investment in Broadband infrastructure over two years would eclipse all the investment made here in the last ten years and it could make a really positive difference to thousands of people’s businesses and lives.
The Newry and Armagh representative has written to the Permanant Secretary at Department of the Economy for clarification but concluded that "OFCOM fear this will just be the latest in a large pile of ‘to do items’ for a new Executive and Minister whenever they arrive back in office."
