Project Stratum FTTP Rollout in N.Ireland Hits 15,000 Premises

The £165m state aid supported Project Stratum rollout in Northern Ireland, which is working with UK ISP Fibrus to spread a gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network to a further 76,233 premises in disadvantaged rural areas by March 2024 (84,500 if you include the expansion), has just completed 15,000 premises.

Back in August 2021 we reported that the Fibrus network (both public and privately funded builds) in N.Ireland had so far covered a total of 58,000 premises, although most of that was commercial build, and it was unclear how much the state aid funded build, by itself, had contributed (that rollout only started earlier this year).

However, it was previously also stated that 19,000 premises would be reached via Stratum by the end of 2021, which, given today’s figure of 15,000, still looks just about feasible. One other thing to note is that the Northern Ireland Executive (DfE) were previously speaking of a December 2023 completion date for the contract, but they’re now using March 2024 instead. This is probably the impact of their recent 8,500 premises expansion.

Gordon Lyons, NI Economy Minister, said:

“Project Stratum represents a £165 million investment set to revolutionise connectivity in rural areas by extending the gigabit capable full fibre broadband infrastructure. With 15,000 premises now going live under Project Stratum, meaning those premises now have access to full fibre broadband, this marks another major milestone for the project which was launched less than a year ago.

Funded under the DUP/Conservative Confidence and Supply deal [plus £15m from DAERA] this major investment will bring hyperfast broadband services to rural and regional parts of Northern Ireland. Once completed the Project will see more than 76,000 premises across Northern Ireland being given Next Generation Access broadband speeds.

Access to good broadband is a necessity for business, homes and organisations and I look forward to continuing to hear positive news as more and more premises see improvements in the broadband speeds under Project Stratum.”

End.