Every home and business in Northern Ireland can now access a broadband service after millions of pounds were invested improving internet access.

Speaking today, Enterprise Minister, Angela Smith, said: "This is a significant achievement for Northern Ireland to lead Europe in broadband availability. Every household, business, school and library in Northern Ireland will be able to access broadband regardless of their location.

"Government has invested almost £10m in delivering broadband across Northern Ireland and this provision is key to ensuring that the infrastructure, necessary to compete successfully in the global market, is in place."

A year ago, BT wired-up the last nine telephone exchanges in NI so that every single one was capable of delivering broadband. Despite this investment some parts of NI were still left without a high-speed internet connection and NI could only boast 98.5 per cent broadband coverage.

Over the past year a combination of wireless and satellite broadband technologies have been used to supply the final 1.5 per cent of NI without broadband access. ®