NEWS RELEASE | |
For Immediate Release 2016MTICS0002-000016 Jan. 7, 2016 |
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services |
Government continues connecting communities throughout B.C. | |
VICTORIA – More than $1.1 million in grants for a second wave of nine projects funded through the provincewide Connecting British Columbia program will benefit more than 80 B.C. communities located in rural and remote areas of the province by improving access to high-speed Internet. Connecting British Columbia is a $10-million, multi-year grant program administered on behalf of the Province by Northern Development Initiative Trust that helps to pay for infrastructure required to deliver high-speed Internet connectivity to homes and businesses in rural locations throughout British Columbia. A total of $5.8 million in Connecting British Columbia funding for eight projects benefiting 70 communities was provided in the first wave of grants last year. B.C. is on track to meet its goal of 100% high-speed connectivity before 2021 by providing 94% of British Columbians with access to high-speed Internet. This makes B.C. one of the most connected jurisdictions in the world. Quotes: Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk – “Government has enabled dozens of rural and remote British Columbia communities with access to the high-speed Internet people need to learn, train, do business, find services and stay connected. This is a direct reflection of our commitment to ensuring 100% high-speed connectivity is available in every area of the province before 2021.” Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Janine North – “To date, Northern Development Initiative Trust has administered nearly $7 million in Connecting British Columbia grants to communities across the province. These funds will ensure that local or regional Internet services providers and other organizations can expand and extend high-speed Internet services to communities in every region of the province.” Peace Region Internet Society system administrator Brad Melanson- “We are striving to ensure that broadband access is available to all. With the help of the provincial government, our rural and remote broadband connectivity project is connecting local residents, allowing businesses to remain competitive, supporting education and enhancing the delivery of public services.” Quick Facts: To ensure high-speed Internet connections in communities and cellular access along highways is available to citizens living in rural and remote areas, the Province works closely with other levels of government and the private sector, including large and small Internet service providers, to offer a number of connectivity programs and services including:
Learn more: Internet in B.C.: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/services-for-government/information-technology/internet-in-bc BC Broadband Satellite Initiative factsheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-bc-broadband-satellite-initiative Connecting BC grant program: http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/funding-programs/business-development/connecting-british-columbia/ Pathways to Technology: http://www.pathwaystotechnology.ca/ Connecting British Columbia Agreement with Telus: http://about.telus.com/community/english/about_us/for_our_customers/connecting_bc_program A backgrounder follows. |
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Media Contact: | |
Joanne Whittier Communications Manager Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services 250 387-0172 |
BACKGROUNDER | |
For Immediate Release 2016MTICS0002-000016 Jan. 7, 2016 |
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services |
Connecting British Columbia grant program projects | |
Columbia Basin-Boundary Rural &Remote Broadband Connectivity Project: Service Provider – Columbia Basin Broadband Corp. (working with 12 Internet service providers) Connecting British Columbia grant: $ 2,287,305 million
North Shuswap Fibre Connection: Service Provider – Mascon Cable Systems Inc. Connecting British Columbia grant: $72,000
The Future is Now – ABC Communications Deploys TD-LTE Rural Broadband Networks in B.C.: Service Provider – A.B.C. Allen Business Communications Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $2,507,737 million
SLRD Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Rural and Remote High-Speed Internet: Service Provider – Base Technology Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $490,000
Bridge River Valley Internet Upgrade: Service Provider – Minto Communications Connecting British Columbia grant: $50,017
Port Alice Microwave Bandwidth Project: Service Provider – Brooks Bay Cable Corp. Connecting British Columbia grant: $139,941
Sunnybrae Fibre Build: Service Provider – Mascon Cable Systems Inc. Connecting British Columbia grant: $130,063
Lookieloo.net 2015 Network Upgrade: Service Provider – Lookieloo.net Sales & Purchases Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $97,850
Provide High-Speed Internet in B.C.'s Peace Region: Service Provider – Peace Region Internet Society Connecting British Columbia grant: $366,011
Granisle Goes Digital: Service Provider – Village of Granisle Connecting British Columbia grant: $117,662
Okanagan/Shuswap Upgrade: Service Provider – MYBC Datacom Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $106,000
Fibre to the Home: Service Provider – Lytton Area Wireless Society Connecting British Columbia grant: $134,400
Lytton First Nation 2, 3 and 4 Mile Fibre to the Home: Service Provider – Lytton Area Wireless Society Connecting British Columbia grant: $110,150
Tatlayoko Think Tank Broadband Upgrade and Expansion: Service Provider – Tatlayoko Think Tank Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $53,791
Lookout Ridge: Service Provider – Network Integrated Communications Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $37,550
Connecting Gulf Islands: Service Provider – Beacon Wireless Inc. Connecting British Columbia grant: -$134,250
Tsaxana Broadband Network Expansion: Service Provider – Conuma Cable Systems Ltd. Connecting British Columbia grant: $63,550
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Media Contact: | |
Joanne Whittier Communications Manager Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services 250 387-0172 |