Council Commissions Rural Broadband Survey

Do you suffer from poor broadband? Are you in a Rural Broadband ‘not-spot’?

If so, you may be interested to know that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has recently commissioned a feasibility study to review and analyse rural broadband.

The Council is asking business owners and residents within the district to take a confidential survey regarding their current broadband internet service. The survey, along with many other outcomes, is part of the district’s Community Plan ‘Living Well Together’ that will outline how to improve broadband service throughout the district and the role of local government in the process. 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “It is important that residents and businesses help secure additional funding by completing the broadband survey. Feedback from the survey will be used to support bids for future funding to help more residents and businesses benefit from fast and reliable internet connectivity. Unreliable connections stunt productivity, causing needless delays, costs and frustration. While businesses in every corner of the district are affected, research shows that it is rural areas and small businesses that are most likely to suffer. Identifying the problem areas and securing schemes through funding will help to increase access to services and allow greater adoption of digital services for residents. Feedback will also help to grow the economy by both supporting existing businesses and encouraging new ones to become established in district.”

Councillor Mulgrew continued, “In recognition of the fact that many residents in the area still have limited access to broadband services, this project will seek to determine the actual internet access speeds residents and businesses are experiencing and build a database to further support these businesses and residents in the future through Government funded connection programmes.”

Chairperson of Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership Nicholas McCrickard said, “Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership is delighted to provide grant assistance to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to commission a feasibility study to investigate the needs of broadband in our rural areas. The Local Action Group recognised the importance of rural broadband and the need to identify ‘not spot’ areas across the Newry, Mourne and Down. We envisage this research project will provide conclusive results to underpin any future actions and infrastructure needs across our rural areas.”

To access the survey please visit; www.newrymournedown.org/business or contact 028 3031 3223 to request a printed copy or complete the survey via telephone.

This research project is conducted by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and supported by Mourne Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership.  The Rural Development Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union.

For more information on the district’s Community Plan ‘Living Well Together’ and how to get involved visit; www.newrymournedown.org/community_planning

#livingwelltogether

Photo caption: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Cllr Roisin Mulgrew and Chairperson of Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership Mr Nicholas McCrickard launch the Rural Broadband Survey.