Ebrington Square, a prominent public space and tourist attraction in Co. Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, has undergone a significant transformation with the introduction of Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband through Openreach’s network.
This upgrade marks a pivotal moment in Ebrington Square’s evolution, as it has transitioned from a former Naval base, Ebrington Barracks, into a vibrant urban hub. The square has been the site of numerous key events, especially during Derry-Londonderry’s tenure as the UK City of Culture in 2013.
Ebrington Square now hosts local businesses, such as HR Team Ltd and The AMP, and boasts several tourist attractions, including an award-winning brewery and a 4* hotel, all poised to draw international visitors to the city.
The increasing potential for entertainment, tourism, and local job opportunities at Ebrington necessitated the establishment of a high-capacity digital infrastructure. Despite the extensive site redevelopment, local businesses expressed concerns about the lack of high-speed broadband essential for their operations and growth.
In response to these concerns, Openreach NI, Northern Ireland’s premier broadband network, collaborated with the Executive Office and local councillor Padraig Delargy MLA to extend the network across the site. This expansion allows SMEs and startups to access Full Fibre broadband, delivering speeds up to twelve times faster than average broadband connections at a competitive cost.
Openreach also made Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) accessible to all existing units in the vicinity of Ebrington Square, including units with multiple tenants.
The Executive Office acknowledged the impact of the initiative, stating, “We have already started to see the game-changing impact of fast and reliable [broadband] on local businesses, and I’m confident it will also ensure the best possible experience for visitors for years to come.”
HR Team, a local business located in Ebrington Square, shared the positive influence of the broadband upgrade. Despite its achievements as a leading HR Consultancy in Northern Ireland, HR Team encountered challenges due to slow broadband speeds and unreliability, hindering their daily operations.
Martina McAuley, Director of HR Team Ltd, highlighted the importance of reliable broadband for their online-focused HR Software business, serving clients in Northern Ireland, ROI, and the UK. Martina explained how the introduction of Full Fibre broadband by Openreach was a welcome enhancement for their business and team, enabling them to provide excellent HR services efficiently.
