BT announced as Premier Partner for Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013

- 100% availability of faster broadband speeds for the city by Autumn 2011

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997iUi32QXk

BT, the global communications and IT services provider, has today been announced as the first commercial partner to support Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013. As part of the five year, multi-million pound partnership, BT has committed to further invest in the Derry~Londonderry telecommunications network to spread fibre-based broadband throughout the city by Autumn 2011, accelerating its regeneration plans in readiness for 2013.

This latest investment by BT will mean that Derry~Londonderry will become the first city across the island of Ireland, and amongst the first in the UK, to have fibre deployed to 100% of the city's street cabinets through fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) technology, offering access to faster broadband speeds. Under the terms of the agreement, the fibre deployment across the City will cover approximately 21,000 households and 6,000 businesses.* With download speeds of up to 40Mb/s and uploads of up to 10Mb/s, the broadband technology provides a superfast internet connection allowing households and businesses to harness the power of broadband to enhance how they live and work. This technology will also be delivered as an open access solution, allowing all broadband service providers access to the advanced network and bringing greater choice and competition.

Speaking on behalf of the Culture Company 2013, Interim Chairperson, Declan McGonagle said; "This city partnership will help us create more opportunities for communities to connect through digital technology and deliver on our bid promise to make culture accessible through the digital realm. A creative and connected digital city is one of the strategic principles for transforming the city and region. Therefore, this is the perfect partnership to help deliver on this promise and we look forward to working with BT over the next number of years to grow this access for all."

Graham Sutherland, CEO BT Northern Ireland said, "We are delighted to support Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013. The next three years will be an exciting time, not just for the North-West, but also for everyone in Northern Ireland and we're thrilled to be a part of it. Helping Derry~Londonderry achieve its digital communication strategy is very much aligned to BT's strategy to encourage the adoption of technology to transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland. We're very excited to work with the City of Culture team, ILEX, Derry City Council and all those involved with the programme to ensure that our ambitious plans for the North-West are achieved and will leave a lasting legacy."

In addition to upgrading the telecommunications infrastructure, BT will work closely with the City of Culture team to help address the digital divide and help provide the residents of Derry~Londonderry with the tools and skills to leverage the plans to make the region a Digital hub.