Council undertakes survey to ascertain level of Broadband access across the district

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that high quality broadband is accessible to residents in the Fermanagh and Omagh area and is undertaking a survey to better understand the level of broadband access across the district.

The Council is keen to hear from residents about broadband provision, strength and reliability in their areas and has devised an online survey for residents to complete. The survey is also available in hard copy format upon request.  This information will be used by the Council to identify where investment in broadband infrastructure is needed and to ensure providers are planning to invest in these areas.

Speaking about the survey, the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris Smyth said;

“Broadband provision across the district has long been problematic and the Council has, through the Broadband Working Group, been lobbying for equality of access for all its residents irrespective of their location.

Almost 30% of premises in the district have access to a broadband speed of less than 30 Mbps, which is the worst coverage in the 11 Council areas in Northern Ireland while 8% have access to broadband speeds of less than 2 Mbps, the worst level in the UK.

The unequal provision of broadband in the Fermanagh and Omagh District was highlighted during the pandemic with students struggling to access online classes and workers who had to work from home, struggling to gain sufficient internet access.

I would encourage all residents to complete the survey which will take only a matter of minutes.”

Please click here to complete the online survey. The survey launches on Monday 23 November 2020 and will close on Friday 29 January 2021.

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw for a £100 shopping voucher for either Omagh or Enniskillen.