Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, to detail any steps her Department is taking to improve (i) broadband coverage; and (ii) mobile phone signal, in rural areas.
Minister for the Economy: (i) My department is continuing to improve broadband coverage in rural areas through Project Gigabit.
In December 2025, I announced that Fibrus Networks Ltd had been appointed to deliver the £40.32 million Project Gigabit contract, bringing gigabit capable broadband to a further 9,300 rural premises here. At the end of August 2026, over 3,800 of these premises had already had gigabit capable broadband made available.
Currently, 91% of rural premises here now have access to gigabit-capable broadband, compared with approximately 65% of rural premises in Britain.
Whilst many rural premises can already access good broadband, I recognise that not all premises here are able to access such services. Commercial operators continue to roll out services further here, and I will seek to encourage them to continue to commit to their plans. It is, though, recognised that for a small number of premises it may not be commercially viable and further public funding may be needed where it represents value for money and public funds are made available. My officials will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to identify if there are funding opportunities to improve services. For a very small number of properties here, it may not represent value for money and some alternative broadband technologies such as satellite broadband may be the only viable solution.
(ii) Although mobile infrastructure and associated services are currently provided on a wholly commercial basis in the North, I remain committed to encouraging the rollout of mobile connectivity. I recognise that poor levels of service are experienced by citizens, particularly in rural areas.
My officials engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including mobile network operators, to ensure local considerations are given appropriate attention and to ensure citizens and businesses throughout the North can fully avail of the benefits that mobile connectivity can offer.
My officials are also involved in several initiatives which should help enable the fast and efficient roll-out of mobile infrastructure. This includes digital projects under the City and Growth Deal, and Enhanced Investment Zone programmes.
ENDS
Your MLA 