Council received an update on a study project aimed at improving broadband services at a regular meeting Feb. 25.
In April 2019, council voted to fund the Community Broadband Study project, which aims to improve Internet connectivity. Since then, according to Cole Nelson, manager of Corporate Business Development, administration made an application to the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program Nov. 29, 2019, requesting half of the project costs, or $82,500.
“Council should be aware that a delay had occurred in the spring [and] summer of 2019, due to change in provincial government,” Nelson said. “To date, the County has not received any feedback on the success of our application, although we do expect it soon.”
RVC has also been in close contact with several Internet service providers, he said, and Mage Networks recently reached out. According to Nelson, Mage Networks is “pursuing their own plans to establish a demonstration network within Bragg Creek.” The company intends to provide a working example of the broadband service it is establishing in Redwood Meadows, he said.
“Additionally…Xplornet Communications Inc. has identified several key areas within RVC that they believe are presently underserved,” Nelson said.
Xplornet is applying to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) Universal Broadband Fund, he said, and requested a letter of support from the County, which council voted unanimously to provide.
“This fund has been designed to help every Canadian access high-speed Internet,” Nelson said.
He added it is encouraging that service providers are seeing opportunity in the County.
Coun. Jerry Gautreau was absent from the meeting.Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
