The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development:

Budget 2013 Invests in Rural Broadband

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to highlight a $6.3 million investment in Budget 2013 for rural broadband. This investment, over two years, will further our work with partners to advance the Rural Broadband Initiative and improve the province’s telecommunications environment.

Including the funding in Budget 2013, the Provincial Government’s investment in broadband infrastructure, mostly in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, is now over $35 million since 2003 and has, to date, leveraged more than $116 million from other sources, for a total investment of $151 million.

Strategic investments of public funds and innovative partnerships with both wireless and wired providers have been the cornerstone to enhancing innovation and telecommunications in all regions of the province. This includes a partnership with an exciting new local company, Great Northern Wireless that will be delivering service to communities in the province.

Through another partnership with Burgeo Broadcasting Systems and Ramea Communications, the Provincial Government has successfully delivered upgraded services to Ramea, Grey River, and Francois. Samuel Fiander, President, Ramea Broadcasting Company has said, “Our combined efforts have established a high speed Internet system and our subscribers are delighted with the outcome.”

Success in rural broadband, using a variety of technologies, such as fibre, wireless, and satellite, has indeed been impressive. With the announcement earlier this month of a major investment in Phase Two of the Rural Broadband Initiative, access to high speed Internet will increase to more than 500 communities throughout the province, up from just 114 communities in 2003. This will bring broadband access to 89 per cent of the island and 95 per cent of Labrador.

We are also working with Nalcor to look at solutions for Labrador’s south coast and other areas of the province using fibre that will accompany the Muskrat Falls transmission line. Building our fibre network enables us to capitalize on other opportunities in terms of business attraction. For example, our work in building the Trans-Gulf Fibre Optic Network led to Tele-Greenland selecting Newfoundland and Labrador as its gateway connection into the North America’s communications industry.
Mr. Speaker, broadband access is a key component of the province’s innovation infrastructure and we are committed to bringing that access to previously unserved rural communities and regions. Economic growth, diversification, and sustainability are tied directly to effective telecommunications. Our commitment remains strong as we drive rural economic development in the province.

Thank you.

2013 03 27                             3:00 p.m.