INCA, the UK-wide body for the promotion of Next Generation Broadband infrastructure, will be hosting its first ever Northern Ireland Roadshow in Titanic Quarter on June 17th.  The group has warned that broadband provision in the UK already lags behind its competitors with many countries making faster progress towards Next Generation services.

The event, which is aimed at local businesses, local government and community leaders, will provide an opportunity to help shape the UK-wide debate on how best to roll-out direct fibre connections to every home and business, and learn about its economic and community development potential.

INCA (Independent Networks Co-operative Association) is organizing the event at Titanic Quarter to help explain how Next Generation Broadband can help boost economic recovery and improve community life.  Malcolm Corbett, INCA's CEO, said:

"BT's welcome announcement to extend Next Generation coverage to 60% of the UK population is great. It makes clear that we need to work on the final 40% and on the problem of extending the reach of fibre to all premises.

"Currently many people in Northern Ireland can't get the minimum 2mbps broadband, a problem which affects about 11% of the UK population. While the Belfast event will look at some technical issues, we will also discuss how communities themselves can get involved in developing Next Generation Broadband networks by using public and/or private partnerships to boost both innovation and economic competiveness.

"Next Generation Broadband has huge potential.  It will bring much faster speeds to homes and businesses, expanding the scope and choice of services available, particularly in areas such as health provision, education, entertainment and business services.  It will unlock innovation and it is important that Northern Ireland has the infrastructure to exploit these new opportunities."

Speakers at the event will include some of the UK's leading broadband experts such as Sinclair Stockman, BT's former Chief Scientist, as well as experts from continental Europe. Edgar Aker, Director of Marketing & Product Management, EMEA, Draka; Klaus Kammermeier Exec. Director Marketing Carrier, EMEA, Corning, and Christer Karlsson, Vice President Strategy & Business Development of Swedish Netadmin are among those attending.  A keynote address will also be given by BT's Frank McManus. 

Delegates will have the opportunity to learn what action is already taking place in Northern Ireland as well as nationally and internationally, and discuss the future needs of both local businesses and communities for Next Generation Broadband.

Michael Graham, Titanic Quarter Ltd's Director of Corporate Real Estate, added:

"We are delighted to host this event.  Titanic Quarter already has advanced plans to deploy one of the UK's most significant Open Access Carrier Neutral Network projects with fibre direct to every occupant, providing access to a wide choice of Next Generation Broadband services. 

"It's important, however, that Northern Ireland as a whole makes the most of projects such as Project Kelvin which provides a direct fast-fibre link to North America. Without high quality local access networks, however, the economic and societal advantages may not be realized.  The INCA roadshow is part of a UK-wide initiative which will help shape the roll-out of better broadband access networks across the entire country."

The event will include a number of workshop sessions offering discussions and insight into topics such as fibre to the home, building partnerships as well as new applications and services.  There will also be specialist meet-the-experts ‘advice clinic' sessions looking at issues such as technology, how to get projects off the ground and how to choose the right business model.

For a more detailed overview, please visit: http://www.inca.coop/events/nextgen-roadshow-northern-ireland. Delegate places are limited and free.  Please register at: http://www.regonline.co.uk/Checkin.asp?EventId=853823 selecting the ‘invited guest' option.