Stakeholders invited to share input into accessing funds

Stakeholders interested in getting better telecommunications services in northeastern Ontario are gathering in New Liskeard this week for the State of Broadband Internet Conference.

The afternoon event, slated for Feb. 6, will bring together communities and municipalities, internet service providers, and government to talk about potential projects and how to access funding through Canada’s Connectivity Strategy.

Under the strategy, the federal government has earmarked between $5 billion and $6 billion in new investments in rural broadband, with the goal of achieving access for all Canadians over the next decade.

That includes speeds of 50 Mbps for downloads and 10 Mbps for uploads, as well as improved mobile wireless services. The government is aiming for connectivity for 90 per cent of Canadians by 2021, for 95 per cent of Canadians by 2026, and for Canadians in the most remote areas by 2030.

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During the Feb. 6 conference, participants will work toward developing their own strategy to be as successful as possible in accessing some of those government funds.

Speakers include representatives from NEONet and Blue Sky Net, as well as Amedeo Bernardi, founder of Canada’s Rural & Remote Broadband Conference.

Additionally, the Municipality of Temagami and Temagami First Nation will be looking for community partners to make a joint application for funding, following the completion of a study of their broadband requirements.

Attendance for the conference is free of charge, and those who cannot attend in person can access the proceedings through a webinar.

Registration information is available here.