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

• The Provincial Government has issued a request for proposals for service providers to expand their services to communities currently without broadband access. This is the province’s third request for proposals since 2011.
• The Rural Broadband Initiative was launched in 2011 to provide incentives to telecommunications carriers to expand broadband access into unserved rural and remote areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• In Budget 2013, A Sound Plan, A Secure Future, the Provincial Government committed $6.3 million to support the Rural Broadband Initiative.
• The request for proposals is available online at www.ibrd.gov.nl.ca. The deadline for submissions is noon, Newfoundland Standard Time, Friday, January 31, 2014.
• Since 2003, Provincial Government investments totaling $29.6 million have leveraged more than $115 million from other sources to improve broadband access in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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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.