KNET and WJBTN access ISED funding to expand network services in remote First Nations

Posted on August 2, 2018 by brianbeaton

From .. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2018/08/rural-and-remote-communities-in-northern-ontario-will-benefit-from-faster-internet.html Rural and remote communities in northern Ontario will benefit from faster Internet Residents in six communities to get new or faster Internet access thanks to Government of Canada investment August 2, 2018 – Sioux Lookout, Ontario Internet access is more than just a convenience: communities, businesses and institutions need it to offer new services and create new[…]

FMCC publication featured by Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council

Posted on June 25, 2018September 25, 2018 by brianbeaton

The new e-book publication by the First Mile Connectivity Consortium team is featured this month on the SSHRC web site along with a short story about the First Nations Innovation research project. From http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/society-societe/stories-histoires/story-histoire-eng.aspx?story_id=270 Breaking trails: Stories from the First Mile Date published: 21/06/2018 4:00:00 PM Photo: Jesse Fiddler/Stories from the First Mile – First Mile Connectivity[…]

FMCC partners involved in new CIRA-funded research project

Posted on June 11, 2018 by brianbeaton

From https://mailchi.mp/cybera/iapuvwwjnk-468941?e=baf79bb0db Testing the Gaps in First Nations’ Internet Access In July 2004, the Assembly of First Nations passed a resolution directing “the government of Canada to honour its commitment to connect every community to broadband services by 2005.” But nearly a decade and a half later, many First Nations communities remain without any internet connectivity. This issue[…]

New book available for download – Stories from the First Mile: Digital technologies in remote and rural Indigenous communities

Posted on April 14, 2018April 16, 2018 by susanodonnell

April 16, 2018 — Across Canada, remote and rural Indigenous communities have been building and delivering broadband services to people in rural and remote communities. A new book celebrates the achievements of these communities associated with the First Nations Innovation (FNI) research project (2005-2018), and the First Mile Connectivity Consortium (2013-ongoing). During the 13 years[…]

WJBTN and KNET working with First Nations partners and Ontario gov’t to upgrade community networks

Posted on April 4, 2018 by brianbeaton

From https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/rural-and-northern-internet-service-gets-nearly-10m-boost-882253 Rural and northern Internet service gets nearly $10M boost Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation announces funding to improve Internet capacity in both rural Thunder Bay area and Far North communities like Fort Severn First Nation. by: Matt Vis Fort Severn First Nation Chief Paul Burke speaks at a Tuesday, April 3, 2018 news conference to[…]

FMCC Researchers receive Internet Society grant to co-develop digital literacy program with Piikani First Nation

Posted on February 27, 2018February 27, 2018 by robmcmahon

A collaboration between Piikani Youth Empowerment Strategies (Piikani Nation Secondary School and Peigan Board of Education) and the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta has received funding from the Internet Society’s Beyond the Net program. The project, titled Exploring digital literacy through the Piikani Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp Program, builds on a[…]

First Nation Communities in Southwestern Ontario Call for Better Broadband

Posted on January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by robmcmahon

First Nation Communities in Southwestern Ontario Call for Better Broadband Beausoleil First Nation, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Saugeen First Nation, and Six Nations of the Grand River have become members of SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT). These valuable additions mean that SWIFT now represents the combined connectivity interests[…]

New article published about FMCC regulatory efforts: GIS Mapping and Policy Advocacy

Posted on January 16, 2018 by robmcmahon

An article based on FMCC efforts at the CRTC is now published in the Journal of Information Policy. The article is co-authored by FMCC researchers Rob McMahon, Trevor Smith, and Tim Whiteduck. Reclaiming Geospatial Data and GIS Design for Indigenous-led Telecommunications Policy Advocacy: A Process Discussion of Mapping Broadband Availability in Remote and Northern Regions[…]

First Nations in Manitoba building community-owned fibre networks

Posted on January 9, 2018 by brianbeaton

From ISED News Release More than 100 rural communities in Manitoba will benefit from faster Internet $83.9 million will improve high-speed Internet coverage in the province, allowing residents to get online faster January 9, 2018 – Winnipeg, Manitoba The Government of Canada is helping close the connectivity gap in Manitoba through a combined investment of $83.9 million[…]

FMCC team featured on CIRA blog

Posted on December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 by robmcmahon

The following article was posted by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority. CIRA’s Community Investment Program celebrates its fifth year – Part 2: The First Mile Connectivity Consortium CIRA is embarking on the fifth year of its Community Investment Program. Canadian not-for-profits doing good things for and through the internet can apply for a CIRA grant[…]