December 22, 2011
Minister Announces Funding for Rural Broadband Initiative
A $4 million investment announced today by the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, will improve broadband access on the island portion of the province. This investment, along with previous Provincial Government investments focused on advancing the province’s communications capacity, has seen the percentage of residents with broadband access increase to approximately 85 per cent – up from 60 per cent in 2003.
Today’s announcement is in addition to the $11.3 million Provincial Government investment announced yesterday in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to upgrade Labrador’s communications infrastructure. The Provincial Government, through the Rural Broadband Initiative, is advancing initiatives that improve broadband access in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“As a government, we made a commitment to improving broadband access in underserviced rural communities,” said Minister Hutchings. “Today, I am very pleased to announce an important step in achieving our goal of having broadband access available throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. It will link those living in rural areas to educational, commercial, and social activities that are currently not available. Broadband is a bridge that connects rural communities to the same opportunities available in larger, more urban centres.”
Of the funding, Bell Aliant will use $2.1 million from the Provincial Government to provide broadband access to parts of the Northern Peninsula, as well as the central and eastern regions of the province. Burgeo Broadcasting Systems and Ramea Communications, through a combined $230,000 investment, will upgrade services to Ramea, Grey River, and Francois. XploreNet Communications will use a $1.67 million investment to identify opportunities to implement a fixed wireless solution in the central region.
“This is an exciting day as it represents the positive outcomes that can be enjoyed when private and public sector organizations work collaboratively,” said Minister Hutchings. “It is a results-driven approach that is paying incredible dividends in this province as it has led to more than 470 communities having broadband access – up from 114 communities in 2003. As a government, we look to continue this progress in the days, weeks, and years to come.”
As outlined in the 2006 innovation strategy Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity, broadband access is a key component of the province’s innovation infrastructure. Stemming from the innovation strategy, $23 million has been directed towards improving broadband access in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Video of news conference (22.5 MB)
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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
2011 12 22 10:10 a.m.