Two years after the province embarked on the project to deliver broadband service across Alberta, SuperNet is surrounded in controversy and the anticipated advantages are unrealized, the report by the Alberta Council of Technologies claims.
Public agencies have SuperNet access, but the rest of the communities lag behind, the report says.
"Private usage has not materialized and significant gaps in service and questionable service standards are prevalent," ACBTech president Perry Kinkaide says in the preface to the report, prepared by a working group of technology stakeholders.
"We hear of corporate giants not performing, residential and small business usage lagging, a confused rural constituency and a lack of leadership.
"We remain convinced that rural broadband will be a significant contributor to diversifying Alberta's economy, but leadership is lacking."
The province invested $193 million in SuperNet and contracted Bell and Axia NetMedia to build and operate it. Bell invested more than $102 million in the network.
The report acknowledges that resolving the issues will take time and understanding, as well as recognition that the telecommunications industry is in transition. It recommends a partnership between ABCTech and the community-based Communities Without Boundaries group to bring all stakeholders together.
ABCTech would assume an "honest broker" leadership role to eliminate the digital divide between rural and urban Albertans, integrate educational and community enterprises, and raise the level of public service to all Albertans.
"Alberta is strongly positioned to lead the world in rural broadband development, but competent and committed leadership is required on all levels," the report says.
Rural communities need broadband service to access e-commerce and e-government, telemedicine and distance learning that will lead to better jobs, improved health care and more educational opportunities, it adds.
But it is too important to leave to free market forces alone, the report says.
The role of government is to ensure fair play while encouraging competition for governing standards and costs. And when competition isn't there, it must provide service and protective measures, it says.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): David Finlayson
Quelle/Source: The Edmonton Journal, 18.06.2008
