Belfast is to receive a £13.7 million (€17.1 million) boost from the British government to help transform it into a “super-connected” city with fast broadband and high-speed wireless internet access, UK culture secretary Maria Miller has announced.
The funding injection will also trigger a further £3 million investment from Belfast City Council and £8 million in private sector funding, bringing the total boost to the city to nearly £25 million.
Belfast is one of 10 cities across the UK that will share in a special £114 million broadband fund. Ms Miller said the cities, which include London and Edinburgh, had produced “ambitions and comprehensive plans” that would help them become digital leaders and give their local economies a real boost.
Councillor Deirdre Hargey, chairwoman of Belfast City Council’s strategic policy and resources committee, said the new investment had the potential to be an important catalyst for the city as businesses would be able to benefit from broadband speeds of at least 80-100Mpbs.
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