Updated Digital Strategy To Go Before Causeway Coast And Glens Councillors

An updated digital strategy outlining how technology will support economic growth, public services, and skills development across Causeway Coast and Glens is due to be considered by councillors next week.

The revised Digital Strategy and Action Plan will be presented to the council’s Leisure and Development Committee for approval and is intended to replace the authority’s original strategy, which was published in 2020.

Council officers say the update reflects major changes in the digital landscape over the past five years, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rapid expansion of high-speed broadband, advances in artificial intelligence, and growing cyber security risks.

The report notes that broadband infrastructure in the borough has improved significantly, with full fibre coverage increasing from around 20% in 2020 to approximately 92% in 2025. This places Causeway Coast and Glens among the better-connected local authority areas in the UK. However, around 5,500 premises are still without access to full fibre services, including parts of the west of the borough and Rathlin Island.

The updated strategy identifies three core themes: digital infrastructure, digital skills and the digital sector. It sets out plans to focus on completing broadband rollout, improving wireless connectivity including 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi, and reducing barriers to infrastructure deployment through simpler wayleave processes and improved street works management.

The report also highlights the need for stronger digital skills across the workforce, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence awareness, cyber security and sector-specific training. Officers say skills initiatives should be closely linked to local economic and labour market programmes.

While the digital sector currently represents a small part of the borough’s economy, the strategy aims to support digital transformation across key sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, agri-food and public services. Proposals include encouraging collaboration hubs, strengthening links with regional digital networks, and supporting innovation outside the main urban centres.

Environmental considerations are also included, particularly in relation to data centre development, which the report says presents both economic opportunities and sustainability challenges.

GreySky Consulting was appointed in August 2025 to carry out the review and update of the strategy. The consultancy undertook data analysis, stakeholder engagement and comparative research before producing the revised document and action plan.

Councillors are being asked to note the progress made since the original strategy was adopted and to approve the updated Digital Strategy and Action Plan as the framework for future digital development across Causeway Coast and Glens.