December 21, 2011
Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Invest to Increase Broadband Services in Labrador
The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, and the Honourable Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queens Privy Council, along with officials from Bell Aliant announced a $24 million investment in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that will increase broadband services in Labrador.
This project includes an $11.3 million investment from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, of which $8.3 million is from Nalcor Energy, as well as $3 million from the Government of Canada, and a $9.7 million investment by Bell Aliant.
“Tremendous industrial and economic activity in Labrador has precipitated the need to improve telecommunications infrastructure in the region,” said Minister Hutchings. “Today’s announcement addresses that requirement and will lead to greater levels of broadband access in Labrador. Socially and economically this addition to the region’s infrastructure will invite long-term benefits as more Labradorians will be able to access the same level of modern communications as those in more urban areas.”
“This project will provide increased broadband services to the region and change the way business is conducted throughout the region,” said Minister Penashue on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “It will improve the ability of companies in the region to establish, expand and operate more efficiently.”
SmartLabrador, in conjunction with Bell Aliant and Nalcor Energy will construct a new pole line with an attached 48-fibre communications cable between Labrador West and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The project will enhance high-speed Internet to Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Churchill Falls, and enhance existing service to Labrador City and Wabush and will become the backbone of Labrador’s long-term broadband infrastructure.
“Bell Aliant is pleased to be a partner in a project that will improve broadband services in Labrador,” said Geoff Davis, Regional Sales Vice President, Newfoundland and Labrador Bell Aliant. “This dedicated fibre network is an example of an innovative partnership that will help ensure the residents of central and western Labrador have access to world-class internet services.”
“This is one of the many benefits that Labrador will see from the Lower Churchill Project,” said Gilbert Bennett, Nalcor’s Vice-President, Lower Churchill Project. “Nalcor is investing in this project to ensure that critical infrastructure required to build and operate the Muskrat Falls development is in place in Labrador.”
“This improved broadband infrastructure is excellent news for residents, institutions and communities throughout this region,” said Sheila Downer, Executive Director, SmartLabrador. “It will be a major enhancement for doing business in Labrador, and will create new and exciting opportunities for innovative and improved services.”
SmartLabrador Network Inc. is a not for profit incorporated organization that is managed by a Board of Directors representing Labrador’s five regional economic development corporations.
This project will ensure that broadband services are provided to two of Labrador’s largest populated regions. The connection of Labrador West to Happy Valley-Goose Bay will serve 63 per cent of Labrador’s population or 19,000 people and more than 1,000 businesses, government agencies and community organizations. Improving broadband access to these areas is the first phase in SmartLabrador’s long-term vision for a broadband network that will include further development in Southern and Northern Labrador and connecting Labrador with the island portion of the province.
The Government of Canada’s investment of $3 million in this project was provided through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment of $3 million was provided through the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development’s Rural Broadband Initiative.
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Media contacts:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Doug Burgess Director Public Affairs ACOA NL 709-772-2935 |
Mark Duggan Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs 709-687-3136 mark.duggan@bellaliant.ca |
Karen O’Neill Corporate Communications Nalcor Energy 709-737-1427, 690-2012 |
Sheila Downer Executive Director SmartLabrador 709-931-2072 sdowner@smartlabrador.ca |
2011 12 21 12:10 p.m.