The Province is investing $200,000 to enable faster, expanded Internet service to people living in the Vancouver Island community of Tahsis.

Now that a new microwave broadcast system is fully operational, customers of Conuma Cable will benefit from reliable, uninterrupted Internet service. Larger files including photos and video can be shared faster, making it easier for businesses and residents to reach out to clients and loved ones.

Government has worked in partnership with local Internet Service Provider, Conuma Cable, to see this project through. The Province has invested $200,000 in this project to upgrade the infrastructure to ministry offices and local schools and help pay for a portion of the $400,000 cost to build the new microwave broadcast system. The other $200,000 has been provided by Conuma Cable, which has built and will operate the system. The connection is being made possible through a partnership between Conuma Cable and Shaw Communications.

Tahsis' new microwave Internet link is the first of two going live this summer on Vancouver Island, with the second community's connection scheduled to go online in August.

Since 2001, high-speed Internet access has been expanded to communities throughout B.C. with total connectivity in the province increasing from 82 per cent to 93 per cent. The Province's investment in this latest project is another step forward in the government's commitment to achieve 100 per cent connectivity by 2021.

Quotes:

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services Andrew Wilkinson -

"Upgraded Internet service in Tahsis will give people in this North Island community a window to the world, allowing them to access essential government services and educational resources at the speed of light."

"Partnerships between government and local Internet service providers are examples of how we're making sound financial investments to deliver the benefits of modern technology to all British Columbians by 2021."

Tahsis Motel and Spar Tree Neighbourhood Pub operator Jo-Anne Rea -

"I'm lost without a good Internet connection because I do all of my banking and ordering online. I also provide free Wi-Fi for my guests, pub customers and local residents so they can communicate with their business contacts, share photos or video chat."

"I reach my Internet service cap very quickly, but this new link means I'll no longer have to tell anyone they can't talk to their boss, loved ones or friends because we're out of Internet bandwidth."

Conuma Cable Systems Ltd. systems manager Stephen Savola -

"This partnership with the government of B.C. made it possible for us to build this new network link. This investment is bringing an affordable, modern, fast and reliable Internet connection to Tahsis. We look forward to building on this achievement to bring wider and even faster service to the local area."

Shaw Communications president Peter Bissonnette -

"It's rewarding to work with communities to enable better and more reliable Internet service to local residents. By being creative and flexible, and working in partnership with the government of B.C. and Conuma Cable, we are able to leverage our fibre optic network to deliver improved Internet speed and bandwidth to residents in Tahsis."

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

Tahsis microwave link and connectivity in B.C.

• B.C. is one of the most connected jurisdictions in the world with 93 per cent of British Columbians having access to high-speed or broadband Internet connections.

• This new system will create two of the fastest rural community Internet connections in B.C.

• Bandwidth in Tahsis has increased from six megabits per second to 60 megabits per second.

• Online connections will no longer slow down during peak usage.

• 160 subscribers currently have service in Tahsis with approximately 20 more on a waiting list that can now be hooked up.

• Wait-listed subscribers will be provided a free modem and installation through Conuma Cable to thank them for their patience.

• The new link uses a microwave transmission system that sends a signal from Tahsis to a Conuma Cable base station facility, which feeds into the Shaw Communications fibre optic infrastructure, all at the speed of light.

• A second community's link is scheduled to go online in August.

Learn More:

Read about how Network BC is connecting B.C. at: http://www.network.gov.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

Jason Macnaughton
Communications Director
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
250 387-3134