CALGARY, ALTA. – High-speed internet is on the way for Indigenous and rural communities in Alberta.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) announced it has finalized an agreement with Arrow Technology Group Limited Partnership to spend $10 million on new broadband infrastructure for Indigenous and rural communities in the province.
Under the terms of the agreement, Arrow will be responsible for all aspects of construction, installation, operations and maintenance of the new broadband service.
The service will close an infrastructure gap for at least 17 Indigenous and one rural community in Alberta. These communities will enjoy the same benefits their urban counterparts already use such as online education, e-health and e-commerce services.
“Access to high-speed Internet is a critical part of our daily lives and allows everyone living in Canada the opportunity to participate in the digital economy,” said the CIB in a press release, adding Arrow has already begun to build out their broadband infrastructure.
The CIB’s financing is in addition to grant funding from the Government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund Rapid Response Stream, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s Broadband Fund Innovation and Science and Economic Development Canada’s Connect to Innovate.
The CIB explained due to the low population density and a current lack of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, the cost of connection per household is very high. The CIB’s low financing rates allows broadband connectivity to expand in unserved and underserved communities at a quicker pace.
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