Wireless communication
Update - March 9, 2007
Rural high-speed Internet
Published January 18, 2006
Life without high speed internet! It's almost unimaginable! Every week I get calls from residents and, on almost a nightly basis, comments from my daughter about the lack of such service in rural Strathcona.
From the calls and comments I receive you would think the demand would be there for an internet provider to consider providing high speed internet service in rural Strathcona County, however there has been little activity to date. The County has regulations in place which address the process all providers must follow and identifies potential locations where wireless communication towers may be considered in the municipality. Yes, there are areas where a tower cannot be located, for example: in country residential, urban residential and environmentally sensitive areas. However, there is also a great deal of the rural Strathcona landscape where towers may be considered, subject to the provider complying with the regulations. The regulations may require the internet provider to undertake a community consultation process and this process may take up to six months. To date, only a few companies have undertaken the initiative to apply to locate a wireless internet tower in Strathcona County.
Over the past two years there have been three applications. One application was not followed through by the Company. However the other two were approved. The most recent tower structure was approved in 2005, located north of the Yellowhead Highway on Range Road 220. John Fleming of Alberta Communication, owners of the latest wireless tower constructed in the County found the County very good to work with." We went through all the channels and the County was very helpful in the process." Granted Strathcona County's topography and the distances limitations of wireless communication are a challenge but one that hopefully will soon be overcome.
In 2001 when Strathcona adopted its current wireless communication policy high speed internet was just coming of age. Now it is almost a necessity. Large companies have built access as part of their pandemic plans. Local bed & breakfast establishments find the lack of access a determent for some guests. To this end, a committee has been meeting to assist in dealing with the issue. Often the first step is the most difficult. However, the first step has been taken by some providers and we look forward to seeing improvements in the near future.
Jacquie Fenske
Councillor, Ward 5
780-464-8147
fenske@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Thursday, March 25, 2010
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