High-speed Internet coming to 14 communities in Newfoundland and Labrador

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwired - July 27, 2015) - Industry Canada

Everyday tasks that were once done in person, such as shopping, communicating, learning and banking, are now done online. To help Canadians have better access to these and many other online opportunities, the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide Bell Alliant with up to $611,320, along with $291,910 from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the Rural Broadband Initiative, to connect over 820 homes in Newfoundland to high-speed Internet. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will partner with Bell Aliant and the Government of Canada on most of the components of this project, with the Government of Canada and Bell Aliant additionally partnering to support new or improved high-speed services in Tilting and Red Cliff.

Minister Moore highlighted that over 820 households in 14 communities will benefit from today's announcement. The project is expected to be completed by July 1, 2017, delivering Internet to homes at a minimum speed of five megabits per second (Mbps).

For Canadians who live in communities with slow or no Internet, access to high-speed services will lead to new economic opportunities and the creation of new jobs, products and services.

By Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, over 98 percent of Canadian households will be able to subscribe to new or improved high-speed Internet services, delivering on the Government of Canada's commitment to rural Canadians.

Quick facts

• Communities to be connected in Newfoundland and Labrador under this project include:
• Deep Bay, Herring Neck, Indian Cove, New Bonaventure, Old Bonaventure, Pleasantview, Purcell's Harbour, Red Cliff (near Grand Falls), Salvage, Saunders Cove, Stag Harbour, St Joseph's Cove-St Veronica's, Tilting and Trouty.
• Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada created the Connecting Canadians program, backed by a $305-million commitment to connect an additional 280,000 households in rural and remote regions of the country to high-speed Internet services at minimum speeds of 5 Mbps.
• The Government has exceeded its Economic Action Plan 2014 target by over 75,000 households in the first round of project approvals, bringing high-speed Internet access to more than 356,000 homes across Canada, and nearly 40 percent under budget.
• Last summer, the Government invited Canadians to provide feedback online to help better determine areas in need of high-speed Internet access. Once information was received, Industry Canada invited Internet service providers to submit proposals for funding under Connecting Canadians to build the wireless or wired infrastructure that will provide services to rural and remote communities in need.
• Industry Canada received over 300 applications to the Connecting Canadians program from Internet service providers across Canada.
• Every province and territory across the country will benefit from the Connecting Canadians program. Announcements of individual projects will be made throughout the summer.

Quotes

"Today's broadband infrastructure announcement is great news for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our government understands the importance of high-speed Internet access for rural communities across the country and is pleased to support the Connecting Canadians initiative."

- Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

"Today's announcement is another step toward our government's goal of bringing high-speed Internet to rural and remote communities across Canada. Access to high-speed Internet will ensure that all Canadians can unlock the tremendous economic potential of a digitally connected Canada."

- James Moore, Minister of Industry

"Today's announcement is another example of Bell Aliant's commitment to rolling out new broadband communications infrastructure in Atlantic Canada. Through our multi-billion-dollar capital investments and partnerships like this with the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, we have made significant progress in providing residents in rural and remote areas of the province with access to our high-speed networks."

- Dan McKeen, Vice Chair and Senior Vice President, Residential Services, Bell Aliant

"Recognizing the value of high-speed access in today's fast-paced social and economic environment, the provincial government has taken a dedicated approach to improving the province's communications capacity. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's investment of $291,910, coupled with the significant investment from the Connecting Canadians program, will help complete the work necessary to connect these communities. Improved Internet service makes a significant difference to the prosperity of our entire province."

- Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Associated link

Connecting Canadians website

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