Any customers in Fermanagh currently availing of satellite broadband have been reminded this week by Fermanagh District Council to register their interest in a potential new service by Friday 5th December next.
A spokesperson for the Townhall explained that DETI (the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment) currently has a five-year contract in place with BT to provide broadband services across Northern Ireland.
"Under that contract, around 800 consumers currently receive broadband access through satellite. The contract with BT will come to an end on 31st March 2009 and, so too, will the satellite service, meaning that, with effect from 1st April 2009, those consumers who receive broadband through satellite from BT will no longer have access to broadband."
She explained that DETI was currently working to find an alternative supplier for these consumers. Existing satellite customers will be entitled to free set up and installation of the service provided by the new supplier, although they will still be liable for monthly fees. However, in order to avail of this free set up and installation, existing satellite customers must provide DETI with written confirmation that they are content for their details to be passed to the new supplier.
The Council spokeswoman said BT had already written to those consumers who will be affected by the removal of the satellite service, asking them to register their details with DETI.
"However, quite a number of consumers have not yet registered. Customers who do not register now and, following a break in service, decide at a later date that they would like to take up the services offered by the new supplier, will be liable for set up and installation fees.
"It is therefore imperative that any customers in Fermanagh currently availing of satellite broadband register their interest in the potential new service by Friday 5th December 2008."
Customers can do this by contacting Fermanagh District Council's Development Department on 028 6632 5050 or by completing the online registration form at www.fermanagh.gov.uk.
Meanwhile, Fermanagh Sinn Fein Councillor, Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh said he was disappointed that representatives of DETI despite having just visited the Council, had failed to tell Councillors of this decision which would have been pending at that time.
"They answered questions on a range of broadband issues", he said, ' but did not give Councillors any indication that the old service level agreement with BT was about to come to an end. After March, BT will have no obligation to continue the provision of this service to local residents."
Councillor O Cobhthaigh said Broadband was essential to ensure rural businesses and communities were fully interconnected.
"As a socialist", he went on, " I oppose privatisation generally, but it would appear that in the case of telecommunications, like electricity supply, we have ended up with the worse of both worlds. We have ended up with a situation of market failure affecting rural dispersed communities particularly."
He said Fermanagh Council were now asking local people and businesses who either already had or might need a satellite-based service in the future to make contact with the Townhall.
" It is essential that people do this to build up demand so as to make the provision of this service commercially viable."
