Rural Connectivity: Gap Analysis Project & A Rural Success Story
Posted on | September 1, 2009 | 1 Comment
Information has long been promoted as the backbone of development.
And although internet/broadband/telecommunications access in rural and rurban areas has steadily increased within the past several years, various groups continue to identify the lack of internet access in rural areas as a problem for economic growth and continued prosperity of many communities.
To determine how widespread this issue is within Alberta, for instance, a public study – delivered under the guidance of a steering committee representing the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC), Service Alberta, and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development – is underway.
The results of this study will help define parametres for future initiatives.
Although internet delivery is changing as federal and provincial grant programs encourage development and technologies improvements, the Rural Connectivity Gap Analysis project hopes to capture a snapshot of current service levels.
Stantec Consulting Ltd. has been selected to conduct the analysis within the province of Alberta. Information from the gap analysis should be available in early fall.
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Since 2006, Ragged Edge Community Network Society, has been providing remote businesses and residences with fast, reliable high speed wireless internet on northern Vancouver Island, B.C.
As the forested terrain on this part of the island provided a challenging environment in which to provide access, careful consideration was given to a variety of delivery models. Wireless technologies were chosen due to expediency, cost, and implementation.
After site and tower selection and installation of structures and materials, trial customers were enlisted and put online for an initial testing period. Early adopters included the Village of Zeballos and Ehattesaht First Nation.
Since then, customers and access have steadily increased … and, in 2008, one of the society’s community partners, Community Futures Mount Waddington, was recognized with a Minister’s Award of Excellence and Innovation in recognition of the support provided to this project – proving that rural/rurban/remote connectivity can successfully be done.
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Tags: capacity > connectivity > internet > Ragged Edge Community Network > remote > rural > rural gap analysis > rurban
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Community development, growth and communication in the rural-urban fringe landscape.
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