Cllr Haughey was speaking after raising this issue directly with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster and with the BT Broadband Manager for Northern Ireland. In particular Cllr Haughey raised concerns about the lack of broadband provision across the Clady area.
Cllr Haughey said, “A growing number of people from the Clady area are contacting me frustrated that they have no access to broadband. It is simply not good enough that with all the investment there has been in broadband provision across the north that there are still rural areas without any provision.
“It is vital that the New Northern Ireland Assembly invest in the provision of broadband for rural communities such as Clady because rural dwellers are isolated enough from services. It is wrong that rural communities are neglected once again in the provision of services. Broadband is needed for children and young people for their education and study needs, for rural businesses in the Clady area so that they can compete with the larger companies, for people to communicate with their relatives who are away from home and for online shopping.
“The Internet and Broadband is becoming a necessity in almost every home and rural communities should be able to expect the same standard of provision as those living in towns.
“The nearest Broadband exchange for the Clady area is Glenanne which is 9- 12kms from some homes in the Clady area. BT have informed me at these distances broadband connection is impossible, but I am also working with some families who are only 4.5km away from the exchange and they too have no broadband provision.
“The Minister has highlighted to me the availability of satellite provision in areas where broadband is not provided and I have passed that information onto constituents but I believe it is vital that this issue is tackled and that the New Northern Ireland Assembly make investment to provide full broadband for rural communities.”