Over 100 people gathered last week in Monaghan to listen to private business, international and departmental presentations on improving Telecommunications coverage in the border regions of Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland. The audience drew key stakeholders from private business, elected representatives, Council and Government Officials, who are working to rectify the problems of ‘digital exclusion’ right across the border corridor and who are frustrated with deficiencies in current telecommunications infrastructure.
The objective of the seminar, organised by the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) Ltd, was to raise the profile of the issue, not only to put it on the agenda but to look at the means by which telecommunications developments can be driven forward in order to improve economic well-being. The seminar featured best practice examples from Europe and closer to home on how challenges to connectivity and supply are being successfully overcome. Private Sector presentations demonstrated the innovative schemes available to help plug telecoms gaps; whilst demonstrating the art of the impossible, keynote speaker, Mr Sture Hermannson, from Vermland in Sweden outlined experiences of successful development processes linking local, regional and other statutory partners which have had helped eradicate issues of digital exclusion in areas of Sweden and Northern Europe. The seminar was part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross-Border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body
There was topical debate when issues such as the siting of masts, the geographical coverage of the Project Kelvin scheme and the infrastructure of telecoms, or lack thereof in particular areas, were raised.
Cllr Winston Bennett, Chairperson of ICBAN said;
“Border regions have the same right to access latest technology and advances as other regions of Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Europe. It’s encouraging to be aware of examples of how coverage can be brought to rural areas and where communities and businesses there do not necessarily have to be isolated.”
In a call to the representatives of the Department of Trade and Investment (DETI) and Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) present, he added;
“This development is vital if the border regions are also to meet the challenges in becoming smart and enterprising economies. We trust that you will appreciate this platform to relay the issues arising today to the Ministers responsible, North and South.”
Cllr Bennett also spoke on behalf of the ICBAN Telecommunications Working Group, which is made up of elected representatives and councils officials from across the central border region. The working group provides a regional cross-border platform for the articulation of key policy concerns and issues which relate to the accessibility and affordability of adequate telecommunications infrastructure and services in the Central Border Region.
Acting on the feedback received since the seminar, the working group’s next phase of work will be to engage in dialogue directly with the larger telecoms providers in the region and will also take forward the specific issue of mobile phone coverage and roaming charges in 2010.
The event was organised on behalf of the 5 local Government cross-border partnerships in Ireland/Northern Ireland, where telecommunications is one strategic development theme of common interest to the cross-border partnerships. As a result of the event the partnerships have agreed to continue working together in exploring the common issues prevalent across all the border regions, with a view to looking towards Europe for assistance in researching the issues and solutions further.
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Photo Caption: Shane Campbell, CEO, ICBAN with Guest Speakers at the Border Telecommunications Seminar
L-R Brendan McManus (KDS Systems), Paul Robinson (DETI), Colm McColgan (ERNACT), Cllr Seamus Treanor, (Leas-Chathaoirleach, Monaghan County Council), Shane Campbell (ICBAN), Sture Hermannson (AEBR), Aidan Ryan (DCNER), Cllr Winston Bennett (ICBAN) and Scott McClelland (North West Electronics Ltd).
Presentations available for download, please click link below:
Sture Hermansson - Sweden, Keynote Presentation
Scott McClelland - North West Electronics
Brendan McManus - KDS Systems Ltd
Colm McColgan - ERNACT
Paul Robinson - DETI
Aidan Ryan - DCENR
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