Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, has welcomed the first broadband network for a small village, near Limavady.

Residents in Drumsurn have been connected to a test-bed wireless network, a trial project offering a variety of internet speeds.

Ms Foster, announcing the connection, said: "This pilot initiative provides an opportunity to work with the private sector to examine the longer term sustainability of such technology and their application for the business sector.

"It will allow telecoms companies, business and government to improve their understanding of how to achieve the best value for money in providing access to similar services across Northern Ireland."

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The minister's department commissioned local telecommunications company North West Electronics to provide a trial wireless broadband service to the village.

The pilot project will run until 30 November 2008 and will eventually involve up to 40 users in the Drumsurn area. 

Users will be able to access internet services such as email and the worldwide web, as well as internet telephony and video conferencing, with prices starting at £17 per month.



The minister concluded: "Telecommunications are an important tool in strengthening our economy and by working closely with the private sector on pilot schemes such as this one we can assess the benefits of alternative technologies to deliver an improved telecoms infrastructure."

Recent reports have suggested Northern Ireland now has 100% broadband coverage, however the Province still has some of the slowest connection speeds in the UK.

(PR/JM)