Brant County is about to get a major boost in broadband computer capability with the issuing of a tender on a $279,806 project to install fibre optic cable that will include most of the municipality.
County council's corporate development committee has unanimously endorsed a staff recommendation to issue the contract to Trinity Communication Services Ltd. to install the technology as an extension of the fibre optic network built by Brant County Power Services Inc.
Another bidder's application was ruled incomplete and rejected. Staff checked Trinity's references and were satisfied that the company has the necessary experiences and skills to complete the project.
Council is expected to give final approval on Tuesday.One-third of the money comes from the Rural Connections Broadband Program run by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The rest will be paid by the county.
"This is going be a big boost for so many people and businesses in our county," said Coun. Joan Gatward, who chairs the committee.
"There are a lot of areas in the county that are under-serviced, and more and more businesses and professionals are based right in the home.
We have been working toward this for years and we are fortunate that the ministry came forward with a program and we were accepted for funding."
The program provides funding to help rural municipalities reduce broadband gaps, enhance computer capability, and introduce innovative services to residents.
It's also meant to improve public access to e-government services and information, and enable small and medium businesses to participate fully in the digital economy.
A staff report says that under the contract, a 96-strand fibre optic cable will be installed between Paris and Burford, to enhance and integrate the existing Paris-based infrastructure with other areas of the county.
That backbone will provide a stable direct feed to the southern portion of the county, its residents and businesses. That, in turn, will give users close to and along the route better quality connections to the Internet, and a marketing tool in developing Brant Business Park.
Splice points will further enable service to schools, libraries and existing industries.
Gatward predicted much change to come from the initiative. She noted that the Burford industrial park off Highway 403 toward the western end of Brant is still is on dial-up, and even the county's Onondaga service office is still on the old technology.
"When we get broadband there, will will be able to improve our services."
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Michael-Allan Marion
Quelle/Source: The Expositor, 09.80.2011
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