Northern Ontario – -Canada
Wednesday, 27 June 2012, 01:02 PM
26 communities in Northern Ontario can expect to have access to a new, faster broadband infrastructure by 2014.
13 of these remote First Nations presently receive satellite connectivity through the Northern Indigenous Community Satellite (NICSN). NICSN is a joint venture partnership between KO-KNET, the Kativik Regional Government in Quebec, and the Keewaytin Tribal Council in Manitoba. Communities receive connectivity through a non-profit satellite network managed from KO-KNET’s hub in Sioux Lookout.
The other thirteen remote and rural First Nations presently use the Bell Aliant end-of-life microwave infrastructure to access and support their broadband applications.
For more than 15 years, NAN First Nations have been developing innovative programs over this satellite infrastructure, including telemedicine and online education. A core vision behind their efforts was community ownership and control of the network infrastructure and broadband applications.
The Northwestern Ontario Broadband Expansion Initiative (NWOBEI)was initiated in the Spring of 2009 with the planning and funding applications. The construction work got underway in Spring 2011, and so far, the first phase of the project has been completed.
NWOBEI Progress as of March 2012:
With the goal of laying 2300 km of fibre optic cable, the project aims to create a network that will connect these 26 satellite and terrestrial served Nishnawbe Aski Nations to high-speed, terrestrial fibre infrastructure. The network will help improve the quality of life in these remote and rural communities by creating network service jobs, and by improving access to existing broadband-enable distance education, health care, and government services.
Listen to Chief Gordon Beardy of Muskrat Dam First Nation discuss the Importance of of the Broadband Expansion Project:
The NWOBEI is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, and has been funded as a joint venture between the Governments of Canada and Ontario, The First Nations and Bell Aliant. Together these partners have provided more than $81 million in funding. Bell Aliant has also committed to work in partnership with NAN to install the network through Northern Ontario.
The 26 First Nations that have been impacted by this project have formed a corporation called “Coordinating Corporation” (COCO) in order to capitalize on the opportunities that may come as a result of the network. One of COCO’s primary goals is to seek opportunities for First Nations to participate in maintenance and construction of the infrastructure. Also, COCO aims to achieve First Nations ownership of the network in the future. At the moment, Bell Aliant will own the majority of the network for a minimum of 5 years after the project has been completed, and First Nations will own and manage their local networks.
Watch how the cables are being installed:
For More information go to the NAN website:http://www.nanbroadband.ca/
Find out more
Read more about the First Nation Infrastructure Fund
Read More about the Project in Wataway News
For more photos from the KI and Wapekeka installation