Progress Continues On Direct Telecoms Link Between North And U.S.

Project Kelvin is a joint project between the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Department for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, (DCENR), co-financed under the INTERREG IVA programme 2007-2013.

This €30million investment will provide the North with a direct telecommunications link to North America and improved communication connections to Europe.

The initial siting of the telehouse was to be alongside the cable landing station in Coleraine but following discussions with business and public representatives from Derry and Coleraine, Hibernia Atlantic has decided to locate the telehouse in Derry.

The Minister said: "I understand the action being taken by Hibernia Atlantic. This is a pragmatic move by the company to advance this project forward and retain the good business reputation of Northern Ireland across the globe.

"The rising level of negativity in Londonderry surrounding this project has created a real danger that the many benefits which Project Kelvin will deliver to local businesses and prospective investors would have been lost."

Arlene Foster added: "We also cannot afford to lose the wider economic benefits which this project will bring to Northern Ireland.

"The location of the telehouse, in the context of this project, is largely immaterial.

"The real benefits which will be delivered are the range of products and services which will be available at each of the eight points of presence located across Northern Ireland.

"Each location will have the same comparable costs, speed of service and infrastructure resilience.

"These are not dependent on the location of the telehouse and therefore, will provide an entirely level playing field.

"I encourage each and every area to use Project Kelvin to maximum advantage."

The Minister praised the integrity of Coleraine representatives and said: "Coleraine's public and business representatives should be congratulated for having the foresight to realise the benefits Project Kelvin can deliver for the whole of Northern Ireland.

"They fully appreciate that the telehouse, in itself, will not deliver economic growth for the local area but it will be the reaction of the stakeholders and businesses which will be key."