For those out on the range, more Albertans will soon be within range for reliable high-speed internet.
Another phase of the Universal Broadband Fund is underway, with 83,600 more rural homes around Alberta slated to have access to reliable high-speed internet.
“When we launched our broadband strategy, we set an ambitious goal — ensure every Albertan, no matter where they are in the province, has access to reliable, high-speed internet. This latest batch of projects brings Alberta to over 95 per cent of our goal and it shows just how far we’ve come. We are following through on our commitment to universal connectivity,” said Nate Glubish, minister of technology and innovation, in a Government of Alberta press release.
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WHY IT MATTERS: No longer a want, but a basic need, reliable high-speed internet is crucial to remote rural agricultural operations as an economic driver.
The latest 27 projects announced will connect the 80,000-plus homes in 759 communities, including an estimated 3,488 Indigenous households. The Woodland Cree First Nation is building a fibre-to-the-home network for Cadotte Lake.
The latest phase of funding is split between the province ($112.4 million), the federal government ($136.9 million) and service provider partners ($124.2 million).
Since the strategy’s launch, the provincial and federal governments have invested over $622 million into 81 projects that have connected more than 135,000 homes. Fourteen broadband projects have been completed, 44 more are in progress and another 24 are in planning.
“In today’s day and age, every corner of Alberta should have access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet, whether that’s in Slave Lake or Beaver Mines. Investments like these make a real difference in people’s lives, creating jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping us connected to our loved ones,” said Buckley Belanger, secretary of state (Rural Development), for the Government of Canada.
Alberta’s Broadband Strategy is designed to eliminate the digital divide by bringing high-speed internet access to Albertans in remote, rural and Indigenous communities — locations which have access challenges including distance from network infrastructure and challenging or remote terrain.
Construction on all broadband strategy projects will create up to 2,000 jobs. Reaching 100 per cent connectivity in Alberta will cost approximately $1 billion.
