A consultant’s report suggests Prince Edward County may want to create its own system for broadband connectivity to address internet gaps.
On Thursday, Committee of the Whole received a report on what opportunities are available to improve rural internet service.
One strategy suggested the municipality invest in building a “fibre to the home” Internet Service Provider itself.
That would involve an approximately $70 million investment that the County would pay off in about 20 years.
One of the report’s authors, Rob McCann of Clearcable Networks, told council the strategy involving fibre would allow for future expansion in a way other options like wireless could not.
“When that technology is replaced by the next version of passive optical networking, it will really be a matter of changing the electronics in the customer’s house and in the central locations, which is the smaller portion of the cost against the actual construction of the physical fibre network.”
The financial impact on the County could be lessened by applying for grants or subsidies.
More than 990 km of roads and 7,000 households across the County have been deemed under-serviced.
Much more discussion will be needed before council can make any decision.
Also on Thursday, council took a look at how it can make the area more attractive for rural broadband expansion projects.
A staff report indicated the current process for internet service providers interested in providing or expanding services to the County is clumsy and requires work involving several departments.
Many other municipalities have already streamlined their efforts making them a more attractive option.
One of the suggestions involves removing public meetings and instead using public notices to inform ratepayers about certain projects like new towers.
Director of Community Services, Programs and Initiatives Todd Davis told council the public meetings actually go above and beyond what is required of the municipality.
“Really what we’re trying to do is simplify the notification process. It’s very similar to how we notify and seek public feedback on other matters and it’s in line with the requirements from the higher levels of government.”
Public concerns could still be relayed to bodies like Industry Canada or the CRTC.
Council received the report, with many councillors agreeing with the need to simplify the entire procedure.
In some good news for rural internet customers on Thursday, the Federal Government announced $700,000 in funding to help bring high-speed internet to more than 1,100 rural homes in Prince Edward County and Bancroft.
