Funding coming to provide better broadband for local communities

The Alberta government announced a series of communities that are listed to receive better internet and broadband internet access.

On Tuesday, a variety of local communities, including two Metis Settlements, and local First Nations have been listed as beneficiaries, as part of a $112 million spend from the province and federal government.

The funding is being given to internet providers to expand access to this increasingly important service.

Funding is going towards Advanced Interactive inc. (Advintive) towards improving Elizabeth Metis Settlement and Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement. 

Meanwhile, MCSNet is receiving dollars to improve access in many areas of the northeast.

These include, alphabetically: Andrew, Athabasca, Beauvallon, Duvernay, Bruce, Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement, Clandonald, Derwent, Dewberry, Elk Point, Frog Lake, Glendon, Hairy Hill, Heinsburg, Hylo, Innisfree, Islay, Kehewin Cree Nation, Kikino, Lindbergh, Mannville, Marwayne, Mundare, Myrnam, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Paradise Valley, Rich Lake, Spedden, St. Paul, Tulliby Lake, Two Hills, Willingdon, and Hillmond.  

“Improving access to high-speed internet will level the playing field. I’m confident that we are on track to achieving our goal of connecting every single Alberta household to high-speed internet by 2027,” said Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation.

The government says they are investing $390 million over five years in rural broadband service.