Innovation, Business and Rural Development
July 16, 2014
Supporting Communities Through Expanded Broadband Access
Broadband Service Extended to Over 5,000 Additional Households
As a part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to providing leading edge telecommunications services and infrastructure, broadband coverage will be extended to an additional 5,086 households in 102 Newfoundland and Labrador communities. The Provincial Government will invest $4.6 million in this third phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.
“Improved Internet service makes a significant difference to the continued prosperity of our entire province. That is why since 2003 our government has invested $34 million and has leveraged more than $121 million from other sources, for a total investment of over $155 million. Through this latest phase of our initiative, we are thrilled to be able to connect another 5,086 households. We are committed to advancing broadband access to communities and businesses throughout the province and I am proud that once these projects are complete, we will have 98 per cent of the population covered.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
Through a call for proposals, four companies were successful in this latest phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative. EION Inc., Bell Aliant, Burgeo Broadcasting Systems and Great Northern Wireless will be facilitating broadband coverage. EION has been contracted to make fixed wireless broadband access available to 63 communities, representing 1,936 households.
"We at EION Atlantic are very proud to be a part of this initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador, bringing rural communities access to the internet through Wi-Fi with services through our IceNet Atlantic brand. This will strengthen the communities and connect residents to their loved ones near and far. It will also benefit local businesses to address world markets. We look forward to growing our continuing partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador for years to come."
- Kalai Kalaichelvan, CEO of EION Inc.
Burgeo Broadcasting System will provide coverage to 10 communities, for a total of 391 households.
“We choose to live in our remote and rural communities in part because we recognize the value in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Burgeo Broadcasting System recognizes the need for reliable internet wherever we live, whether it is in a larger centre or in communities like South Branch, McDougals, or Codroy. With this investment we will help ensure access to our customers in the Codroy Valley area. Internet access is a necessary tool to maintaining our connections to the rest of the world, while retaining our quality of life in our rural communities.”
- Dave MacDonald, Manager, Burgeo Broadcasting System
Great Northern Wireless will connect four communities, with a total of 192 households.
“We want to thank the Provincial Government for providing us with the opportunity to bring broadband Internet to rural communities that would not otherwise be able to avail of coverage. The government helped us identify the communities in need and provided the financial support necessary to help us ensure these communities have the access to broadband internet they require.”
- Paul Gushue, CEO, Great Northern Wireless
Bell Aliant will provide coverage to four communities, representing 178 households.
“Our ongoing partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is having a positive impact on the expansion of broadband services in the province. With each phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative more and more residents in rural communities are gaining access to the Internet services and speeds they need.”
- Geoff Davis, Regional Vice President Sales, Newfoundland and Labrador, Bell Aliant
A list of the 81 community’s receiving broadband access is noted in the attached backgrounder.
Work continues with industry, community, and government partners to further improve broadband infrastructure. To date, the Provincial Government has expanded broadband access to over 550 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador through government initiatives – up from 114 communities in 2003.QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government will invest $4.6 million in this third phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative.
- Broadband coverage will be extended to an additional 5,086 households in 102 Newfoundland and Labrador communities.
- The Rural Broadband Initiative was launched in 2011 to provide incentive to telecommunications carriers to expand broadband access into unserved rural and remote areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Over 550 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador now have access to broadband services through government initiatives – up from 114 communities in 2003.
- 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.
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Media contacts:
| Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 728-4104 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Sandra Benoit EION 613-271-4400- ext. 250 |
| Dave MacDonald Burgeo Broadcasting System 709-886-2177 | Paul Gushue Great Northern Wireless 516- 551-3073 |
| Katherine Vanbuskirk Bell Aliant 1-855-487-3040 katherine.vanbuskirk@bellaliant.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Rural Broadband Expanded to an Additional 102 Communities
The Provincial Government, through an investment of $4.6 million, is expanding broadband coverage to an additional 102 communities throughout the province.
| Community | Geographic Name | Region |
| Aspen | Aspen | Trinity North |
| Bay St. George South | Highlands | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Bay St. George South | Loch Leven | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Bay St. George South | Tuckers Pond | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Bellburns | Bellburns | St. Barbe |
| Benton | Benton | Gander |
| Benton | Adjacent to Benton | Gander |
| Black Duck Siding | Black Duck | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Bluff Head | Bluff Head | Trinity North |
| Britannia | Britannia | Trinity North |
| Burgoyne's Cove | Clifton | Trinity North |
| Burgoyne's Cove | New Burnt Cove | Trinity North |
| Burgoyne's Cove | Burgoyne's Cove | Trinity North |
| Cape Anguille | Shoal Point, Codroy Valley | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Cape Anguille | Cape Anguille | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Cape Freels North | Cape Freels North | Bonavista North |
| Codroy | Codroy | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Coachman's Cove | Coachman's Cove | Baie Verte-Springdale |
| Coal Brook | Coal Brook | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Culls Harbour | Culls Harbour | Terra Nova |
| Doyles | Doyles | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Eddies Cove | Eddies Cove | The Straits-White Bay North |
| Eddies Cove West | Eddies Cove West | St. Barbe |
| Fischells | Fischells | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Flat Bay Brook | Flat Bay Brook | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Fox Harbour | Fox Harbour | Placentia-St. Mary's |
| Fox Roost-Margaree | Between Fox Roost and Margaree | Burgeo-La Poile |
| Gallants | Gallants | Humber West |
| Gander Bay North | Dormans Cove | Bonavista North |
| Georges Lake East | Georges Lake East | Humber East |
| Grassy Point Pond | Grassy Point Pond | Bellevue |
| Harricott | Harricott | Placentia-St. Mary's |
| Harrison | Harrison | Humber East |
| Hickman's Harbour-Robinson Bight | Robinson Bight | Trinity North |
| Humber Arm South | Voy's Beach | Bay of Islands |
| Journois | Journois | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Joyce | Joyce | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Laurenceton | Burnt Arm | Lewisporte |
| Laurenceton | Laurenceton | Lewisporte |
| Lethbridge, Morley's Siding, Brookland, Charleston, Jamestown, Portland, Winter Brook and Sweet Bay | Portland | Bonavista South |
| Lethbridge, Morley's Siding, Brookland, Charleston, Jamestown, Portland, Winter Brook and Sweet Bay | Jamestown | Bonavista South |
| Long Beach, Trinity Bay | Long Beach, Trinity Bay | Trinity North |
| Lower Chance Cove | Random Island | Trinity North |
| Main Point-Davidsville | Adjacent to Main Point | Bonavista North |
| Millville | Millville | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Ming's Bight | Ming's Bight | Baie Verte-Springdale |
| Ming's Bight | South Brook, Baie Verte Peninsula | Baie Verte-Springdale |
| Norris Arm | Sandy Point, Bay of Exploits | Lewisporte |
| Norris Arm North | Alderburn | Lewisporte |
| North Harbour, St. Mary’s Bay | North Harbour, St. Mary’s Bay | Placentia-St. Mary's |
| North Harbour South | North Harbour South | Placentia-St. Mary's |
| Osmond | Osmond | Burgeo-La Poile |
| Pearsons Peak | Pearsons Peak | Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South |
| Petley | Petley | Trinity North |
| Piccadilly Slant-Abrahams Cove | Abrahams Cove | Port au Port |
| Pinchgut Lake | Pinchgut Lake | Humber East |
| Pines Cove | Pines Cove | The Straits-White Bay North |
| Portland Creek | Portland Creek | St. Barbe |
| Random Island West | Aspey Brook | Trinity North |
| Random Sound West | Hatchet Cove | Trinity North |
| Random Sound West | Adjacent to Hatchet Cove | Trinity North |
| Random Island West | Snook's Harbour | Trinity North |
| Sandy Point | Sandy Point | Terra Nova |
| Searston | Searston | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Searston | The Block | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| Sheppardville | Sheppardville | Baie Verte-Springdale |
| Ship Cove-Lower Cove-Jerry's Nose | Jerry’s Nose | Port au Port |
| Ship Cove-Lower Cove-Jerry's Nose | Lower Cove | Port au Port |
| Ship Harbour | Ship Harbour | Placentia-St. Mary's |
| Smith Sound | Gin Cove | Trinity North |
| Smith Sound | Harcourt | Trinity North |
| Smith Sound | Monroe | Trinity North |
| Smith Sound | Waterville | Trinity North |
| Smith Sound | White Rock | Trinity North |
| South Branch | South Branch | St. George's-Stephenville East |
| St. Pauls | St. Pauls | St. Barbe |
| Tilt Cove, Baie Verte Peninsula | Tilt Cove, Baie Verte Peninsula | Baie Verte-Springdale |
| Three Rock Cove | Three Rock Cove | Port au Port |
| White Hearts Pond | White Hearts Pond | Placentia-St. Mary's |
| Wiltondale | Wiltondale | St. Barbe |
| Woodville | Woodville | St. George's-Stephenville East |
An additional 21 communities in the Coast of Bays region were previously announced under the third phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative. Further information is available at: www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/ibrd/0404n02.htm
2014 07 16 11:05 a.m.