N.W.T. First Nation building own fibre optic link
CanNor grant helped community build one kilometre of fibre optic line
CBC News
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 11:55 AM CST
Last Updated: Nov 26, 2012 4:54 PM CST
The K'atl'odeeche First Nation in Hay River, N.W.T., has begun to build fibre optic infrastructure in the community.
In 2010, the First Nation received close to $200,000 from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency to help it develop a broadband strategy. It also enabled the community to build one kilometre of a fibre optic cable, which now connects several municipal buildings.
The First Nation wants to lease the fibre to companies such as Northwestel and Telus who, in turn, can bring better internet connections to homes and businesses.
Lyle Fabian, who is with the K'atl'odeeche First Nation, said benefit of the new line isn’t only measured in dollars and cents.
"To give better healthcare in our community, to give better telecommunications options for the community and also more economic opportunity for businesses to operate on a fibre infrastructure," he said.
Peter Rinaldi, the director-general of CanNor, said information technology is important for small communities.
"This community has seen the opportunity to move forward with something that helps them, and has taken the opportunity that has been available to them," he said.
The reserve is continuing to try and raise funds to expand the network.
Northwestel said it supports the idea and hopes to work with the First Nation to help expand high-speed fibre optics there.
Share Tools
Latest North News Headlines
- Yellowknife grandma to paddle 2,000 km solo to Nunavut
- A 57-year-old Yellowknife grandmother says she's chasing her dream by kayaking solo from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., to Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. more »
- Oil spill liability increased to $1B in clean-up costs
- Ottawa announced new provisions Tuesday to ensure the oil industry is responsible for cleaning up spills during offshore drilling and commercial production. more »
- Iqaluit mom not guilty of assaulting son
- A 28-year-old mother in Iqaluit was acquitted of assaulting her 4-year-old son. more »
- Wildfire burning south of Dawson City
- A wildfire is burning 50 kilometres south of Dawson City, Yukon threatening five cabins and a small mining camp more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- G8 leaders agree to 7-point plan on Syria as summit wraps
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the other G8 leaders reach a seven-point plan aimed at stopping the conflict in Syria, wrapping up a two-day summit in Northern Ireland following talks on trade, tax evasion, poverty and terrorism. more »
- Are e-cigarettes safe to puff?
- As electronic or e-cigarettes grow in popularity, some health advocates want them to be regulated. more »
- In Bangladesh's garment trade, empowerment comes at $20 a week
- The pay is laughable by Western standards, and the shantytowns of Dhaka offer a difficult life. But the surge of mostly young women into the country's increasingly important clothing industry is having a profound change on this largely Islamic society, Margaret Evans writes. more »
- Tory MP bows to Elections Canada in fight over expenses
- Conservative MP Shelly Glover has bowed to Elections Canada in a battle over her 2011 campaign expenses, days after filing a court challenge against the agency. more »
- Northern women sewing for North American moccasin project
- Arctic research station design incorporates Inuit knowledge
- Kids cause 15,000 litres of oil to spill in Cambridge Bay
- NWT residents balk at gas price hikes
- Iqaluit mom not guilty of assaulting son
- Wildfire burning south of Dawson City
- Baker Lake grads heading to La-La Land
- Qulliq Energy Corp. faces second lawsuit from former employee
- Yellowknife grandma to paddle 2,000 km solo to Nunavut
