Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
January 19, 2016
Supporting Communities Through Expanded Broadband Access
Five Communities to Receive Broadband Service
As part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to providing leading edge telecommunications services and infrastructure, $251,790 is being invested in rural broadband access. Five rural Newfoundland and Labrador communities will receive broadband coverage as a result of the investment. The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, made the announcement today at By the Sea Café in King’s Point.
“Our government is pleased to work with our partners with the Connecting Canadians Program to provide rural broadband access. Improved Internet service makes a significant difference to the prosperity of our rural communities and we are committed to continuing to work together to improve the province’s communications capacity. The value of high-speed access in today’s social and economic environment is significant and this investment of over $251,000, coupled with the funding from the Connecting Canadians Program will complete the work necessary to connect five communities in Rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Connecting Canadians Program is also contributing $503,580 to the initiative and work will be completed by Bell Aliant. Under the provincial initiative, broadband access will be made available in:
- Beachside;
- St. Patricks;
- Little Bay;
- Harry’s Harbour; and
- Silverdale and Jacksons Cove.
Rural broadband expansion allows for economic development across the province. To date, the Provincial Government has expanded broadband access to 98 per cent of the province’s population.
“It is wonderful to see our government making strides toward improving Internet services in the province. I am quite pleased that the people of Baie Verte - Green Bay are a step closer to having access to broadband services, which I am confident will support their business, and communications needs.”
- Brian Warr, MHA, Baie Verte - Green Bay
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.
QUICK FACTS
- As part of the third phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative, the Provincial Government will invest $251,790 to extend broadband service to five Newfoundland and Labrador communities.
- The Connecting Canadians Program is contributing $503,580 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.
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Media contacts:
| Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Brian Warr MHA, Baie Verte - Green Bay 709-673-6424 brianwarr@gov.nl.ca |
2016 01 19 12:00 p.m.