Northern Ireland Broadband Superfast Fibre Broadband in Northern Ireland

Q.What is Superfast broadband?

The technology used is known as Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) which involves the provision of a fibre optic cable from the telephone exchange to a new road/street side telephone distribution cabinet - the green box in villages/towns and roadsides across Northern Ireland. The new cabinet is equipped with VDSL (up to 40Mbps downstream) broadband technology which is connected to the end users line at the cabinet rather than in the ‘local’, or in many cases, the ‘far away’ telephone exchange.

Q.What speeds are available?

The technology deployed is capable of delivering 40Mbps downstream and 15Mbps upstream. As long as a line will support a minimum downstream speed of 5Mbps it is made available at a wholesale level to the Internet Service Providers. Individual Internet Service Providers decide the minimum speed at which they will offer service.

Q.How can I check if my telephone line can get Superfast Broadband?

Our telephone number checker on this site can be used to find out if you can get Superfast broadband.  Simply enter your telephone number and the checker will tell you what services you can get.

Q.How can I check if there is a Superfast broadband cabinet in my area?

Details of all cabinets already in service or planned with a ready for service date (subject to change) can be found here 

Q.Can other communications providers use this network to offer services to their customers?

Yes, this technology is supplied at an Open Access level and is available to all Internet Service Providers on the same terms and conditions. The service is made available at an equitable level to all Internet Service Providers – who in turn determine the cost to the end user based on various factors including speed bands, service wrap, value added services, term of contract, etc.  Open Access encourages competition and choice in the market.

Q.How can I order it?

If a check of your line indicates you can avail of Superfast broadband please contact an Internet / Broadband service Provider of your choice. Please note that not all service providers are currently offering this service – details of those who we are aware are offering service in Northern Ireland can be found here .  Individual Internet Service Providers determine the cost to the end user based on various factors including speed bands, service wrap, value added services, term of contract, etc

Q.What areas of Northern Ireland will still not have Superfast broadband?

A. The areas not addressed by this investment or previously announced Superfast broadband projects are not concentrated in any single area or region but are geographically spread across Northern Ireland. It must be noted that not only has Northern Ireland got a higher penetration of Superfast broadband but we have actually taken this technology deeper and further into our rural areas.

We have got to where we are through considerable investment from BT either directly or in partnership with DETI, DARD and other organisations. These partnerships have allowed BT to make investments and deploy this technology in areas where it otherwise would not make commercial sense for us.  To go beyond what we have announced today we will look to form partnerships at government, local and community levels.

Q.How do those government, local and community groups get involved in this process?

BT has consistently stated that we will invest where it makes good commercial sense and allows us to make a return on our investment. However in many areas, particularly in rural and the more remote areas where the cost to deploy is very costly and penetration of lines are very low, we will need to work in partnership with government and local communities to create a commercial model that will allow us to deploy. To find out more please Contact Us

Q.Will there still always be a need for satellite?

Satellite is an alternative technology that can provide a reliable broadband service where a stable broadband service cannot be provided over the end users telephone line. To ensure 100 percent availability of broadband is maintained in Northern Ireland, DETI has a subsidised satellite broadband scheme in place – details of this scheme can be obtained by contacting Avanti Satellite Communications (020 7749 1666).