Grants to boost rural broadband

The Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have announced further funding for projects to provide broadband access to areas with little or no connectivity. Wales' technology minister Edwina Hart said the £2m national Broadband Support Scheme (BSS) will be extended to include areas where connectivity is less than 2Mbps. The scheme currently provides individuals and organisations located in broadband 'notspots', where connectivity is less than 512Kbps, with grants of up to £1,000 to give them access to a broadband connection. Hart said: "Since the scheme was launched last July, over 800 households, businesses and third sector organisations have had applications approved and now have broadband access. By extending the criteria for the BSS we can make sure that more people can access broadband and take advantage of the opportunities provided by digital technologies." In Northern Ireland, the executive has announced a sixth call for project applications to support broadband technology trials and the provision of access to high speed commercial services in rural areas. The executive said it is making a further £500,000 available under the £1.9m Northern Ireland Broadband Fund, which is co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-13. Enterprise minister Arlene Foster said: "We hope to see a vibrant range of proposals which reflect a number of technologies. "In line with UK national strategy, we would be particularly keen for proposals that clearly demonstrate an engagement with local communities to both identify specific rural areas where access to broadband has been a concern and secure support at local level for the solutions proposed. "With funding of up to 35% of total eligible project costs available, the fund offers a financial incentive to applicants to meet these challenges."