A trial of superfast broadband in Belfast has been proclaimed a success by the Northern Ireland economy minister.

The trial saw residents of a new development in Ormeau Road provided with 20Mbps broadband through an agreement between Virgin Media, Bytel Networks, developer Clanmill Housing and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Nigel Dodds, economy minister, said: "The information and knowledge gained from this trial will help shape our future strategy for broadband services in Northern Ireland.

"Working with the Department for Social Development and Clanmil Housing on this trial, we now know that high speed broadband can be delivered through fibre optics at a reasonable cost into new housing developments."

The trials had looked at the cost and feasibility of installing fibre optic networks and deployed both fibre to the cabinet and fibre to the home designs to determine which is more viable.

The service will now be rolled out to the 180 Housing Association tenants on the development, which is one the site of the former North Cricket and Rugby Club, on a permanent basis.