Report gaps in rural internet service

Residents of rural Strathcona County with unsatisfactory or unavailable internet access are encouraged to report gaps in service. The County is working to improve internet access in these areas before the Rural Internet Access Program comes to a close at the end of 2017.

Residents can report gaps in rural internet service by phone, 780-464-8024, or email ruralinternet@strathcona.ca.

The County’s Rural Internet Access Program has enhanced internet access in hard-to-reach areas by adding local internet towers, or upgrading existing towers, to boost signal reach.

 “Through partnering with the private sector we have improved internet service in over 40 rural subdivisions and surrounding areas with, so far, nearly 700 additional households subscribing to high-speed internet,” says Mayor Roxanne Carr. “We are pleased to have been able to enhance internet access for thousands of residents and we want to make sure that any remaining gaps in service are addressed before the program ends.”

The County also partnered with Strathcona County Library, using a sponsorship from Shell Canada Ltd., to install new equipment and enhance internet service at a number of rural community halls, better equipping these facilities to offer a variety of programming and events. This work is well underway and scheduled to be complete by 2018.

Providing free high-speed internet connections at rural community halls will allow Library patrons at those locations to access the full suite of digital literacy training, resources and programming, including eBooks and downloadable music and movies licensed by the Library. They will also have real-time access to Library accounts and reference resources through the Bookmobile.

More information about the Rural Internet Access Program, including the list of tower locations and upgrades, is available at www.strathcona.ca/ruralinternet.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact:

Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595