Energizing the Provincial Economy Through Expanded Rural Broadband Access
Funding Available Through Rural Broadband Initiative to Expand Broadband Access
As part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to provide leading edge telecommunications services and infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, a new request for proposals has been issued to encourage Internet service providers to expand services to communities currently without broadband access.
“Our government has made tremendous progress in strengthening the
province’s telecommunications infrastructure, and this call for proposals
will provide an opportunity for service providers to further extend
broadband access in the province. This request for proposals will build on
the progress made to date, which has resulted in an increase in access to
more than 500 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, up from 114
communities in 2003 and are on target to reach approximately 95 per cent
coverage for the province by 2014.”
- The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Innovation, Business and
Rural Development
The Rural Broadband Initiative was launched in 2011 to provide incentives to telecommunications carriers to expand broadband access into unserved and underserved rural and remote areas of Newfoundland and Labrador. Internet service providers seeking more information and/or terms and conditions of the request for proposals should contact Hayward Keats at 709-729-0677 or haywardkeats@gov.nl.ca. The request for proposals is available online at www.ibrd.gov.nl.ca. The deadline for submissions is 12:00 p.m. Newfoundland Standard Time, Friday, January 31, 2014.
Through sound fiscal management and responsible decisions, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is strengthening the business environment, encouraging the development of innovative industries and building a vibrant economy.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2013 12 02 2:25 p.m.