In 2009, the government of Canada, through its Economic Action Plan, provided $225 million over three years for the construction and deployment of infrastructure required to extend broadband coverage and connect un-served or under-served Canadian households.
Broadband Communications North (BCN) applied to Industry Canada for the upgrade, enhancement, and deployment of infrastructure capable of delivering 1.5Mbit to the home in multiple First Nation and remote communities. BCN was successfully awarded a project with a total value of $1.6 million. Industry Canada provided $805,000 while Health Canada and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) contributed $630,000 and $175,000 respectively to match Industry Canada’s contribution.
In total, 3,156 households will have access to 1.5Mbits to the home in the following communities: Dauphin River, Black River, Chemawawin, Cross Lake, Fisher River, Sagkeeng, Thicket Portage, Wabowden, War and York Landing. Additionally, BCN will be extending terrestrial service into Hollow Water, Indian Birch, and Sapotaweyak First Nations for the first time.
Broadband Internet and high speed services form the core foundation for all ICT applications such as e-health, e-education, e-justice, e-governance, and general Internet usage. Without affordable, reliable, and scalable networks many communities and individuals are left behind. Most of the communities BCN works with are remote and/or isolated and the need for broadband internet is even more essential. BCN is pleased to see the Government of Canada focus on these issues and contribute dollars towards the construction of this critical infrastructure.
For additional details on the Industry Canada program please visit: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/719.nsf/eng/home