Daisy Lodge recognises the vital role of connection
Fibrus welcomes UK Minister for Digital Economy, Baroness Liz Lloyd, to hear first-hand from those who have benefitted from a full fibre broadband transformation, including Daisy Lodge.
The visit provided the Minister with the opportunity to see firsthand how the rollout of Project Gigabit will transform connectivity for those living and working in some of the hardest-to-reach locations across Northern Ireland. During the visit, she was taken on a tour of Fibrus’ Network Operations Centre, gaining insight into the scale and complexity of managing a full fibre network, and observed a live fibre splicing demonstration, showcasing the precision and expertise behind the build.
Fibrus was awarded the £34.6million broadband improvement project in December 2025 by the Department for the Economy, on behalf of DSIT (Department for Science, Innovation & technology), which will see gigabit-capable broadband offered to over 9,000 new premises.
Our investment in faster broadband is improving lives and driving economic growth in rural communities across Northern Ireland, making it easier for them to run a business, access public services or simply stay connected with the people who matter most.
It was great to see the work Fibrus is doing to deliver our Project Gigabit rollout across Northern Ireland, ensuring more rural homes, local businesses and community organisations can benefit from fast, reliable connections.
Liz Lloyd, UK Telecoms Minister
This contract award followed Fibrus’ successful completion of the landmark £200 million Project Stratum telecoms infrastructure project, which connected over 81,000 premises in Northern Ireland. With the region currently boasting a 96% access to gigabit-capable service rate, against a UK average of 87%, Project Gigabit will further enhance access to full fibre connection for the most rural premises across the north.
During the visit, Baroness Lloyd had the opportunity to hear first-hand from those who have benefitted from a full fibre broadband transformation, including Daisy Lodge. A purpose-built therapeutic centre in Newcastle, Co. Down, Daisy Lodge is a solace for families across the island of Ireland affected by cancer and through Hyperfast NI and Project Stratum, it was connected to Full Fibre broadband 2024.
Thanks to this programme, Daisy Lodge now has a full fibre line delivering speeds 57 times faster than our previous copper connection. The transformation in reliability, speed and capacity means families staying with us can remain connected when it matters most, whether that’s accessing support, staying in touch with loved ones, or simply giving young people the chance to learn, stream and stay connected to their world during incredibly difficult times.
Project Stratum has also saved the charity £30,000 in connection fees, the equivalent of funding 750 one-to-one sessions on the hospital ward for young people. A huge thank you to Fibrus for continuing to invest in the connectivity that is helping us continue to be there for families when they need us most.
Corinna Decodts, IT & Facilities Manager at Cancer Fund for Children
Daisy Lodge’s dedicated team of Cancer Support Specialists delivers group sessions, workshops, and peer support for families navigating some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Supporting young people up to the age of 24, Daisy Lodge recognises the vital role of connection. Many, due to being immunosuppressed, are unable to participate in everyday social activities with friends and therefore rely heavily on online connectivity to maintain relationships and a sense of normalcy.
For many of our families, especially those who are immunosuppressed, staying connected with friends, school, and support networks isn’t just convenient, it’s essential. Thanks to the partnership between Hyperfast NI, Fibrus, and Project Stratum, Daisy Lodge now benefits from full fibre broadband, enabling us to deliver therapeutic services, peer support, and moments of normality for families navigating the toughest of times. We’re deeply grateful to be recognised as a beneficiary of this investment, and even more grateful for the continued commitment to rural communities and the families we support.
Raph O'Connor, Residential Services Manager at Cancer Fund for Children
We’re incredibly proud of the difference Fibrus is making for homes, businesses, and communities across the region, and we’re excited to extend these benefits to even more premises through Project Gigabit. Seeing the real-world impact of full fibre on organisations like Daisy Lodge reinforces exactly why we do what we do. Delivering meaningful, tangible change for organisations that are vital to our communities is both rewarding and a powerful reminder of the role connectivity now plays in everyday life.
Rural communities aren’t an afterthought for Fibrus – they’re our focus. We’re delighted to welcome the UK Digital Economy Minister to witness firsthand the transformative power that full fibre connectivity is unlocking across rural areas.
Conal Henry, Co Founder and Chair at Fibrus
