Federal-provincial rural broadband expansion rolling out slowly in Alberta – CBC
Sep 10, 2024
Proponents say process could be faster
Most of Canada’s big telecommunications companies aren’t offering high-speed internet to rural areas of Alberta, leaving municipalities and smaller local companies to do it themselves.
Money from the $780 million federal and provincial broadband funds is helping move projects forward. But some say the rollout is still too slow for rural areas to gain access to the services and work opportunities broadband can offer.
“I think there’s a need to actually spend faster, spend harder, and get the job done sooner,” said Paul McLauchlin, reeve of Ponoka County and president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, which represents Alberta counties and municipal districts.
