Consumers in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, are benefiting from faster broadband speeds after the completion of an infrastructure upgrade.

The Northern Ireland Broadband Fund, along with the European Regional Development Fund Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, funded the improvement of broadband services in the rural region.

And according to enterprise minister Arlene Foster, the project demonstrates the commitment of Northern Ireland's government to reducing the digital divide.

Broadband provider North West Electronics has extended the capability of its fixed wireless network on the County Antrim coast, bringing enhanced broadband to communities including Ballintoy, Straid, Port Bradden and Dunseverick.

Ms Foster commented: "Our key objective is to continue to encourage the emergence of affordable, high-speed broadband services in such areas, providing conditions for the growth of local enterprises."

She said the latest development was "a significant step" in that direction.

Back in June 2009, Ofcom reported that broadband package performance was higher in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK, with better line quality one potential reason.