Faster internet speeds promised for 'difficult to reach' areas

Five year plan to affect 99% of homes & businesses

Homes and businesses in rural areas across the Island could be receiving faster internet speeds over the next five years.

The Department for Enterprise awarded Manx Telecom with a £10 million contract, to introduce ultrafast fibre broadband to nine rural and 'difficult to reach' areas.

It's part of a five-year national broadband plan to deliver a fibre network to 99% of homes and businesses, with speeds of up to 1Gb/s.

That level of connection is currently only available to 25% of Manx properties.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly announced the agreement at Tynwald this morning:

Manx Radio's Lewis Foster has been speaking to Manx Telecom CEO Gary Lamb about the new contract, and who will be affected by the changes:

Vans driven by Manx Telecom team delivering the new infrastructure around the Island will be emblazoned with this design.