To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for his assessment of the extended Super-connected Cities broadband voucher scheme in meeting the needs of rural businesses; and what options exist for rural businesses that missed out on this scheme to access increased broadband speeds.

The Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme was managed and funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport working in conjunction with local councils. My Department has not therefore conducted an assessment of its outcomes. DCMS has however published early analysis on the scheme website at https://www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/schemefacts/.

In terms of options available for accessing broadband services with higher speeds, the Member will be aware that my Department is currently implementing the Northern Ireland Broadband Improvement Project which seeks to improve access to basic and, in some areas superfast broadband, particularly in rural locations. The deadline for completion of this project has been extended to 31 March 2016.

Recognising that NIBIP will not deliver superfast broadband to all premises, my Department, in February 2015, awarded a further contract to BT for the delivery of the Superfast Roll-out Programme (SRP). This project will provide superfast broadband improvements for almost 39,000 premises across Northern Ireland by December 2017. An extensive survey and design process is underway and will take several months to complete. Further information will be posted to NI Direct as it becomes available.

In the interim, other technology alternatives are already widely available across Northern Ireland via a number of suppliers including satellite and fixed-wireless.