Hi-tech jobs boost on horizon
Thursday, 20 November 2008
COLERAINE'S prospects of attracting hi-tech jobs rose this week with reports that Northern Ireland's first direct telecommunications link with North America is to be brought ashore between Portrush and Portstewart.
A formal announcement is expected later this month, but it's understood Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has already decided to follow recommendations made in a feasibility study which pin-points Ballygelagh as the ideal location.
The decision opens the way for a 'data centre' in Coleraine which has the potential to attract hi-tech businesses requiring very fast communications links.
The idea of linking the North to the US has been named Project Kelvin after the Ulster Born physicist, Lord Kelvin, who played a vital role in laying the first cables during the 1850s and 1860s
The project's aim, first reported by the Chronicle in September, is to reduce the time it takes to exchange data and cut the cost of international communications, putting Northern Ireland on an equal footing with the UK.
Last week DUP Assemblyman Adrian McQuillan described a meeting with Arlene Foster as "positive" and following further discussions with officials he said he was "upbeat" about an imminent announcement.
“There is the prospect of jobs depending on where the cable is brought ashore," he told the Chronicle.
“This could be a real turning point for Coleraine if we can attract some of the highly paid jobs project Kelvin has the potential to deliver.
“These are exactly the sort of jobs required in Coleraine in this day and age. We have the University on our doorstep turning out graduates and we should be taking advantage of that."
Councillor McQuillan confirmed he'd lobbied the minister on behalf of Coleraine and he praised Council officials who also travelled to Stormont to submit a report to Ms Foster's department.
A feasibility study commissioned last year by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (Deti) recommended tapping into an existing trans Atlantic cable lying 20 miles north of Portrush.
The consultants' report suggested bringing it ashore at Ballygelagh between Portrush and Portstewart, running it up to the nearby railway line and from there onto a 'telehouse' and 'data centre' in Londonderry.
The report states: "The creating of a direct international telecommunications link from NI will considerably boost economic development, particularly in the NW region, should it be located there."
Londonderry is a likely beneficiary because the project contains a cross-border dimension and will be co-funded by the Republic's government
However, Councillor McQuillan sees no reason why Coleraine can not be granted access to the cable and its potential to attract hi-tech businesses depending on fast communications.
“If it's passing Coleraine we should be able to take advantage. If as we expect, the coast between Portrush and Portstewart is chosen there is no reason why Coleraine can not reap the same benefits planned for Londonderry."
Councillor McQuillan said the next step was to secure a site which could be developed as a business park for hi-tech companies eager to capitalise on extremely fast connections with the outside world. His views are underpinned by the conclusions of the feasibility study.
It claims that a high speed link would be very appealing to potential investors including multi national companies. According to the report, insufficient telecommunications capacity was 'show stopper' for potential investors.
Doing nothing, it claimed, would lead to "poor choice, price, availability and quality of service for businesses and consumers in relation to telecommunications services, particularly in the NW region.
This is likely to ultimately result in reduced competitiveness of the region, leading to limited or negative growth in inward investment and job creation.
Ballygelagh is considered an ideal location because it is one of the few stretches of the north coast not inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Area of Special Scientific Interest.
It is in a relatively well developed area and as such the ability to implant a support unit for power and junction of the cable should be easily undertaken if required.
The site is also a short distance from the railway line and relatively close to the existing Coleraine exchange buildings where four of the main telecommunications providers already have facilities.COLERAINE'S prospects of attracting hi-tech jobs rose this week with reports that Northern Ireland's first direct telecommunications link with North America is to be brought ashore between Portrush and Portstewart.
A formal announcement is expected later this month, but it's understood Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has already decided to follow recommendations made in a feasibility study which pin-points Ballygelagh as the ideal location.
The decision opens the way for a 'data centre' in Coleraine which has the potential to attract hi-tech businesses requiring very fast communications links.
The idea of linking the North to the US has been named Project Kelvin after the Ulster Born physicist, Lord Kelvin, who played a vital role in laying the first cables during the 1850s and 1860s
The project's aim, first reported by the Chronicle in September, is to reduce the time it takes to exchange data and cut the cost of international communications, putting Northern Ireland on an equal footing with the UK.
Last week DUP Assemblyman Adrian McQuillan described a meeting with Arlene Foster as "positive" and following further discussions with officials he said he was "upbeat" about an imminent announcement.
“There is the prospect of jobs depending on where the cable is brought ashore," he told the Chronicle.
“This could be a real turning point for Coleraine if we can attract some of the highly paid jobs project Kelvin has the potential to deliver.
“These are exactly the sort of jobs required in Coleraine in this day and age. We have the University on our doorstep turning out graduates and we should be taking advantage of that."
Councillor McQuillan confirmed he'd lobbied the minister on behalf of Coleraine and he praised Council officials who also travelled to Stormont to submit a report to Ms Foster's department.
A feasibility study commissioned last year by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (Deti) recommended tapping into an existing trans Atlantic cable lying 20 miles north of Portrush.
The consultants' report suggested bringing it ashore at Ballygelagh between Portrush and Portstewart, running it up to the nearby railway line and from there onto a 'telehouse' and 'data centre' in Londonderry.
The report states: "The creating of a direct international telecommunications link from NI will considerably boost economic development, particularly in the NW region, should it be located there."
Londonderry is a likely beneficiary because the project contains a cross-border dimension and will be co-funded by the Republic's government
However, Councillor McQuillan sees no reason why Coleraine can not be granted access to the cable and its potential to attract hi-tech businesses depending on fast communications.
“If it's passing Coleraine we should be able to take advantage. If as we expect, the coast between Portrush and Portstewart is chosen there is no reason why Coleraine can not reap the same benefits planned for Londonderry."
Councillor McQuillan said the next step was to secure a site which could be developed as a business park for hi-tech companies eager to capitalise on extremely fast connections with the outside world. His views are underpinned by the conclusions of the feasibility study.
It claims that a high speed link would be very appealing to potential investors including multi national companies. According to the report, insufficient telecommunications capacity was 'show stopper' for potential investors.
Doing nothing, it claimed, would lead to "poor choice, price, availability and quality of service for businesses and consumers in relation to telecommunications services, particularly in the NW region.
This is likely to ultimately result in reduced competitiveness of the region, leading to limited or negative growth in inward investment and job creation.
Ballygelagh is considered an ideal location because it is one of the few stretches of the north coast not inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Area of Special Scientific Interest.
It is in a relatively well developed area and as such the ability to implant a support unit for power and junction of the cable should be easily undertaken if required.
The site is also a short distance from the railway line and relatively close to the existing Coleraine exchange buildings where four of the main telecommunications providers already have facilities.
