simpson33 / Depositphotos.com
The governments of Alberta and Canada are investing $24.8 million in two projects that will bring high-speed internet access to 1,833 households in rural and remote communities across the province.
The funding is part of an existing agreement between Alberta and Canada.
On March 9, 2022, both governments announced a historic broadband partnership to invest up to $780 million to provide high-speed internet access to Albertans in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
“No matter where Albertans live, they should have access to reliable, high-speed internet. This investment will help connect more rural and remote communities, support local businesses, create new opportunities and improve access to the services people rely on every day,” said Nate Glubish, Alberta Minister of Technology and Innovation.
When the Alberta broadband strategy was launched in 2022, about 201,000 households could not access high speed internet.
Since then, the Alberta government said certain milestones have been achieved including $646 million of the $780 million Universal Broadband Fund funding a total of 82 projects that will bring high-speed access to about 137,100 households.
Twenty-one broadband projects have completed, bringing high-speed access to 20,600 households. Forty-six broadband projects are in progress and will bring high-speed access to about 11,900 households.
Fifteen broadband projects are in the planning phase and will bring high-speed access to about 5,600 households.
Construction on all broadband strategy projects is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs across Alberta.
Comments