New Digital Literacy Resource: Eetsii tthak t’agwahii getr’ootanahchàh: Digital Content and Connectivity with Dinjii Zhuh Contexts

Posted on August 21, 2019August 21, 2019 by robmcmahon

Aug. 21, 2019 The University of Alberta (Faculty of Extension and School of Library and Information Science) and Gwich’in Tribal Council are proud to share two new digital literacy resources. These free open educational resources (OERs) focus on digital content and connectivity with Dinjii Zhuh (Gwich’in) contexts. They include a student workbook and a facilitator[…]

Collaboration, Connectivity, and Self-Determination

Posted on August 20, 2019 by robmcmahon

[ Internet Society Blog post by Crystal Fraser from April 11, 2019 ] Over 20 million people in North America lack access to fast, affordable, and reliable Internet. In October 2018, the Indigenous Connectivity Summit gathered over 150 Indigenous leaders, policymakers, network operators, and community members in the Canadian Arctic town of Inuvik to focus[…]

Northwestel asks feds to consider operating costs for infrastructure investments

Posted on January 8, 2019 by brianbeaton

Company president Curtis Shaw made the statements to standing committee in November From https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/northwestel-connect-to-innovate-1.4960892by Sara Frizzell · CBC News · Last Updated: January 3 Northwestel began offering 15 mbps internet in September 2018. (Travis Burke/CBC) Northwestel asked the federal government to consider the “unique characteristics” of northern operating costs when making decisions on major infrastructure investments. Company president Curtis Shaw spoke at a[…]

FMCC research featured in special issue of Northern Public Affairs

Posted on September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 by robmcmahon

The journal Northern Public Affairs has published a special issue focused on connectivity in Northern and Indigenous communities. The issue includes research and commentary about Indigenous digital innovations in communities across northern Canada, and features several articles contributed by FMCC members. These articles include: A “whole-community” approach for sustainable digital infrastructure in remote and Northern First[…]

CRTC Denies Northwestel Request for Forbearance of Regulation of Wholesale Connect Service in NWT

Posted on August 25, 2017 by robmcmahon

Yesterday (Aug 24) the CRTC released its decision denying Northwestel’s request to be forborne from regulation of the Wholesale Connect service in light of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link. From the CRTC’s announcement: The Commission denies an application by Northwestel for requesting forbearance from the regulation of its Wholesale Connect service in the communities served[…]

First Mile Researchers Host Digital Literacy Workshop with Gwich’in Tribal Council

Posted on June 18, 2017June 22, 2017 by robmcmahon

Last week the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Department of Cultural Heritage (GTC) hosted a day-long workshop on Digital Content and Connectivity in Gwich’in communities. This pilot was designed by GTC staff and partners from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension and the First Mile Connectivity Consortium. The team included Dr. Rob McMahon and Master of Arts[…]

Northwest Territories take First Mile approach to fibre construction

Posted on June 11, 2017 by brianbeaton

From http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/mackenzie-valley-fibre-line-northwest-territories-1.4155770 Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link brings opportunities, challenges to N.W.T. $82-million, 1,200-km fibre optic line to increase internet speeds in communities across the territory By Mike Gibbins, CBC News Posted: Jun 11, 2017 12:51 PM CT Last Updated: Jun 11, 2017 2:23 PM CT Map showing the route of the Mackenzie Valley fibre optic line. A[…]

FMCC/FNI researcher visits CBC Yukon and presents at Yukon College

Posted on April 18, 2017 by robmcmahon

People living in Canada’s Northern territories are engaged in a number of community-driven broadband projects – those these efforts face challenges of affordability and local infrastructure capacity. On April 6-7, FMCC coordinator and University of Alberta researcher Rob McMahon travelled to Whitehorse, YK to learn about these initiatives, and to give a public presentation at Yukon[…]

FMCC intervention in Northwestel’s request to CRTC for forbearance

Posted on March 10, 2017 by brianbeaton

The First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) filed the attached intervention letter concerning Northwestel’s application for forbearance concerning the delivery of broadband services in the Northwest Territories. We are sharing this document with everyone in the hope that it might be useful to you. If there are problems with the concerns we are raising about Northwestel[…]

Northern newspaper coverage highlight the FMCC support for CRTC BSO decisions

Posted on January 3, 2017January 5, 2017 by brianbeaton

From http://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/crtc-s-ruling-on-internet-draws-more-praise CRTC’s ruling on Internet draws more praise First Nations Internet service providers are applauding the ruling by Canada’s telecommunications and broadcasting regulator that all Canadians should have access to high-speed Internet. By Sidney Cohen on December 27, 2016 First Nations Internet service providers are applauding the ruling by Canada’s telecommunications and broadcasting regulator that[…]