Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
July 27, 2015
Supporting Communities Through Enhanced and Expanded Broadband Access
Thirteen Communities to Receive Broadband Service
The Provincial Government is investing over $291,000 in broadband access as part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to providing leading edge telecommunications services and infrastructure. Broadband coverage will be extended to almost 800 households in 13 rural Newfoundland and Labrador communities. Industry Canada’s Connecting Canadians Program is also contributing over $611,000 to the third phase of the initiative and work will be completed by Bell Aliant.
“Recognizing the value of high-speed access in today’s fast-paced society, the Provincial Government has taken a dedicated approach to improving the province’s communications capacity. This investment of over $291,000, coupled with the significant investment from the Connecting Canadians program will complete the work necessary to connect 13 communities and provide benefits to social and economic prosperity. Strong communities with important services like broadband are essential to maintaining and increasing the province’s population, and our government is committed to supporting such initiatives, as outlined in our Population Growth Strategy.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Rural broadband expansion provides innovative opportunities that encourage economic development across the province. To date, the Provincial Government has expanded broadband access to 98 per cent of the province’s population.
“Today’s broadband infrastructure announcement is great news for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our government understands the importance of high-speed Internet access for rural communities across the country and is pleased to support the Connecting Canadians initiative.”
– The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
Under the provincial initiative, broadband access will be made available in:
- Saunders Cove
- Salvage
- Pleasantview
- Deep Bay
- Stag Harbour
- Indian Cove
- Purcell’s Harbour
- Herring Neck
- St. Joseph’s Cove
- St. Veronica’s
- Trouty
- Old Bonaventure
- New Bonaventure
Service will also be upgraded to Tilting and Red Cliff through the Connecting Canadians program.
“Today’s announcement is another example of Bell Aliant’s commitment to rolling out new broadband communications infrastructure in Atlantic Canada. Through our multi-billion-dollar capital investments and partnerships like this with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada, we have made significant progress in providing residents in rural and remote areas of the province with access to our high-speed networks.”
- Dan McKeen, Vice Chair and Senior Vice President, Residential Services, Bell Aliant
Since 2003, Provincial Government investments totalling $34 million have leveraged more than $121 million from other sources to improve broadband access in Newfoundland and Labrador, for a total of over $155 million.
Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025 is the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s 10-year plan to support individuals and families. The strategy will ensure investments and programs are aligned to encourage individuals to choose Newfoundland and Labrador to live, work and raise a family. For more information visit www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth/.
QUICK FACTS:
- As part of the third phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative, the Provincial Government will invest over $291,000 to extend broadband service to 13 Newfoundland and Labrador communities, encompassing 778 households.
- Industry Canada’s Connecting Canadians program is contributing over $611,000 to the third phase of the initiative.
- The Rural Broadband Initiative was launched in 2011 to provide incentive to telecommunications carriers to expand broadband access into unserved and underserved rural and remote areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The Population Growth Strategy is supported by four action plans covering the main elements of population growth – workforce, families, communities and immigration. For more information visit www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth/.
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Media contacts:
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Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Jake Enwright Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Industry 343-291-2500 |
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Jennifer MacIsaac Bell Aliant 709-739-2483 jennifer.macIsaac@bellaliant.ca |
2015 07 27 3:10 p.m.