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DEASE LAKE – As part of the National Satellite Initiative (NSI) four more communities in the province's largest riding will soon have access to broadband Internet, Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Dennis MacKay announced today.
“The people of Dease Lake, Atlin, Telegraph Creek and Good Hope Lake will have the world at their fingertips as a result of this upgrade,” MacKay said. “This is the best of both worlds: the people can remain in the North and continue to enjoy all it has to offer, while receiving the benefits of big-city living online.”
The government of British Columbia was one of four applicants from across Canada selected to further advance the deployment of broadband to remote communities. NSI will bring high-capacity Internet to an estimated 30 communities across the province, the majority of which are aboriginal.
“Through the Internet we are leveling the playing field provincewide and making a real difference in people's lives,” said Management Services Minister Joyce Murray. “From Vancouver to Vanderhoof, from Atlin to Abbotsford, we are bridging the digital divide. This announcement will allow more people in the North to live, work and study without leaving home.”
Satellite capacity valued at $7.4 million is being made available to the provincial government through Industry Canada. The Province will invest $2.5 million to provide on-the-ground technology – earth stations and a large-capacity hub in Vancouver – that will enable communities to use the capacity made available by Industry Canada.
In February Premier Gordon Campbell announced that the Province would consolidate its Internet, telephone and voice mail networks with those of other public sector organizations including health authorities and school districts, to provide high-speed broadband Internet access points in 173 communities, including 100 First Nation communities.
This year, 154 schools will be upgraded to high-speed Internet access and broadband access points will be opened up in 72 communities through the Provincial Learning Network. The remaining communities will be connected to the broadband network by the end of 2006 as a first step in establishing local broadband. It will then be up to the communities themselves to develop the “last mile” link that connects homes and businesses to this high-speed pipe.
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