The provincial government announced a plan May 13 to connect 125,000 unserved or underserved Manitobans to high-speed internet and cellular phone networks.
An agreement to provide services was signed with Xplornet Communications Inc. after a competitive bidding process and the province will provide the company with access to surplus capacity on Manitoba Hydro’s fibre-optic cable network as early as this fall.
"We recognize the social and economic benefit of a connected Manitoba, and we are pleased to partner with Xplornet, one of Canada’s leading broadband service providers, to provide reliable, high-speed internet and cell services to Manitobans who have gone without these services for far too long,” said Premier Brian Pallister in a news release.
The agreement will provide broadband internet access to nearly 30 First Nations and approximately 270 other communities. It will also serve 350 communities with cell phone access.
Few of the communities it will affect are north of the 53rd parallel, with the exception of Cranberry Portage, Mosakahiken Cree Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Northern communities like Lynn Lake with no cell phone service and limited internet service providers are not among the list of affected communities.
"Access to Manitoba Hydro’s fibre-optic network and tower infrastructure will also greatly reduce the capital investments Xplornet needs to expand into rural and remote communities, allowing for a positive return on investment and the quick delivery of service to Manitobans,” said Central Service Minister Rg Helwer.
The provincial government, Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Hydro Telecom hope to finalize a contract regarding access to the fibre-optic cable network soon.
