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Avoiding the Tragedy of Dorothy:
Enhancing Rural Broadband Availability |
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June 2006-
Brian Sharwood
+1 416-413-9381, IGB Grant +1 514-849-3508 |
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS: |
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- Connecting broadband to the hinterlands of Canada – even to those communities close to large
cities that don’t have service – is not a simple task. It is, however, laudable and important work.
Our country’s belief in a strong social system, including healthcare and education, as well as a
vibrant competitive market, is well served by encouraging broadband availability to rural
communities.
- Solving the problem of connecting rural households can be divided into two distinct parts –
connecting the community and connecting the last mile, or the households themselves. Both goals
go hand-in-hand, yet we believe that government should be more involved in developing
connections to communities. The last mile connection is best carried out by private enterprise who
have fewer constraints on provision of creative and innovative solutions.
- Last-mile broadband solutions are dropping in price quickly. Solutions like the Motorola Canopy
Advantage™ fixed wireless solution, like the Inukshuk wireless venture and, like increasingly flexible
satellite-based offerings from companies like Xplornet, have reduced the hurdle required to bring
high-speed internet to many rural Canadians.
- There are several government programmes which have encouraged and developed broadband
connectivity in Canada. We believe the best of them have characteristics in common:
:: Focus on community connectedness, rather than last mile,
:: Clear, achievable goals,
:: Encouragement to adopt new lower cost technologies and,
:: Explore innovative solutions, including new, lower cost technologies.
Good examples of this are Network B.C., Alberta’s Supernet, the NorthwestTel – Yukon
Government partnership, and the Aliant-New Brunswick agreement announced earlier this month.
- The CRTC deferral account can provide part of a solution, yet we believe that the disbursement of these funds should not focus on the technology or the provider, but instead on the social goals achieved through connected communities.
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