MMA members asked for pen letters supporting the high-speed Internet proposal

Mindemoia - Municipalities and First Nations on Manitoulin Island are encouraging support for a proposal from Blue Sky Net Economic Development Corporation to help increase wireless high-speed Internet broadband services in the region.

“Every work we do increases the services being provided. Blue Sky board member Mike Edison told members of the Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) at a meeting last week that it was a win for everyone.

Mr Edison, general manager of Lombok, told the conference, "Blue Sky Net is the company we ordered to provide Internet services in those areas. Blue Sky was founded in 2003 as a nonprofit and funded by Fedanor." Ease of public participation To food, this area will lead to an improved telecommunications infrastructure and services. "

Edison said the provincial budget has tackled the importance of digital connectivity in promoting economic growth, adding that the government has invested $ 315 million over the next five years to ensure communities in Ontario have access to critical broadband and cellular connectivity. Announces plans to do so.

The newly announced Broadband and Cellular Strategy focuses on improving broadband services in fewer areas throughout Ontario. Another $ 1.7 billion Federal Broadband Fund to start in 2020.

"The federal government has provided a pot to improve services to rural areas and Blue Sky Net prepares applications on behalf of municipalities and First Nations."

Mr. Edison pointed to maps provided for areas in the Blue Sky Lacloche-Manitoulin area (including Manitoulin Island).

“We are all fighting the high-speed internet,” Mr. Edison said. Blue Sky is applying for advanced high-speed internet in the region. Giving a request, and then Mama Determine the genu, which allows any service provider. "

Blue Sky Net on Feb. 3 issued a request for proposals to establish a successful vendor (s) to upgrade board infrastructure and services on Manitoulin Island and Highway 6 and surrounding unsafe / lined areas.

The RFP is scheduled to close on February 28, but any resolution that comes after that date will be included in the Blue Sky package, Edison said. “Blue Sky encourages everyone to do their Internet speed test;

Those speed tests can be accessed by going to ConnectedNorth.ca.

“We encourage everyone to do speed tests; They have a good chance of getting funding for more information, ”Mr. Said Edison. "They work closely with federal and regional governments, and if the regional sector works together there is a better chance of getting approved than individual applications."

“We are providing $ 750 million for Internet service with $ 315 million for rural Ontario in Canada,” says Edison. Blue Sky Net is preparing to release RFP and will cover North Bay East / South, Almaguin North / Parry Sound, Sudbury East / West Nipissing and Manitoulin / Locklohe.

Mr Edison said there is no cost in the area. “Once the service is in place, there will be a service charge for any internet services.

Al McNevin asked if Blue Sky was applying for a certain amount.

"I don't know how much is being applied to this field alone," Mr Edison said.

"The reason I ask is that an area can take on as much funding as it has available in Ontario," Mr McNevin said.

"How advanced is technology?" Asked MMA President Ken Noland.

"We're talking wireless internet," Mr. Edison said. “It is now similar to services like copper or DSL, or it could be a combination,” Mr Edison said. It is provided to improve existing services and serve more customers.