Rural Internet Access Program

Rural internet road with transmission tower

Report gaps in service

Do you live in an area of rural Strathcona County where internet access is unsatisfactory or still not available? Let us know!

Call: 780-464-8024
Email: ruralinternet@strathcona.ca

High-speed internet access is increasingly important in everyday life, whether it’s required for school, business or even entertainment. Strathcona County recognized that many rural residents within the County had unsatisfactory access to this basic service.

With its innovative Rural Internet Access Program, the County enhanced internet access in hard-to-reach areas by adding 22 new local internet towers, and upgrading many more, to boost signal reach.

Through this three-year program, the County offered incentives to internet service providers (ISPs) to install smaller internet towers in areas where there were gaps in service. The new towers - owned and maintained by the ISPs - act as a bridge between households and larger infrastructure towers, bringing high-speed internet access to areas that are without. Local ISPs worked directly with landowners to install towers in areas designated by the County.

Information on this page

Map of internet tower locations (2.6 MB)

Tower locations

Thanks to the Rural Internet Access Program, internet towers have been installed and are operational, providing service to the following rural subdivisions and surrounding areas:

  • Antler Lake Community Hall - MCSNet
  • Antler Meadows - Syban
  • Belvedere Heights East - MCSNet
  • Belvedere Heights West - MCSNet
  • Best Estates - MCSNet
  • Birch Park Estates - MCSNet
  • Brecken Woods - MCSNet
  • Bristol Estates - Syban
  • Camelot Square - MCSNet
  • Casswallen Crescent Acres - MCSNet
  • Century Estates - Syban
  • Century Meadows - Syban
  • Colchester Lane -  MCSNet
  • Collingwood Cove - MCSNet
  • Colonial - MCSNet
  • Donaldson Park - MCSNet
  • Farrell Properties - Syban
  • Forest Hills Country Estates - MCSNet
  • Galloway Park - MCSNet
  • Glenwood Park Estates - MCSNet
  • Hansen Estates -  MCSNet
  • Hyland Hills – Syban
  • Jaymoor - Syban
  • Lina Country Estates - MCSNet
  • Los Villas – Syban
  • Lueders Ridge - Syban
  • Lynley Ridge - MCSNet
  • Mark IV Estates - Syban
  • Marvin Gardens - MCSNet
  • McConnell Estates - Syban
  • Meadowbrook Heights - MCSNet
  • North Cooking Lake / Deville Community Hall - MCSNet
  • Parklane Estates - MCSNet
  • Paso Valley Estates - MSCNet
  • Patricia Glen - Syban
  • Phoa Subdivision - MCSNet
  • Portas Gardens - MSCNet
  • Queensdale Place (North and South) - Syban
  • Richlyn Estates - Syban
  • Roman Estates – Syban
  • Royal Estates - MCSNet
  • Shady Lanes  - MCSNet
  • Trans Oak Estates - MCSNet
  • Trevethick Park - MCSNet
  • Twin Island Park – Syban
  • Verden Place - Syban
  • Wellington Estates - MCSNet
  • Wildwood Village - MCSNet
  • Willow Road - MCSNet
  • Woodland Downs - MCSNet
  • Wye Knott Village - MCSNet

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Equipment upgrades and improvements to existing towers have enhanced internet service, as well as extended service to additional residents, in the following areas:

  • Artesian Estates - MCSNet
  • Baronwood - Syban
  • Calebo Estates - MCSNet
  • Croftland Subdivision - MCSNet
  • Deer Horn Estates - MCSNet
  • Dowling Estates - MCSNet
  • Gray Drive - MCSNet
  • Gunnmanor Estates - MCSNet
  • Marler Subdivision - MCSNet
  • Parker Ridge - MCSNet
  • Parkwood Place - MCSNet
  • Partridge Hill area - MCSNet
  • Pine Grove Acres - MCSNet
  • Sierra Grande Estates - MCSNet
  • Springhill Park - MCSNet
  • Spruce Bend Acres - MCSNet
  • Tanglewood - Syban
  • Voyageur Estates - MCSNet
  • Westpark Estates - MCSNet

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Project timeline

2015

  • Program research, plan and design
  • County works with local ISPs, and gathers feedback from residents, to identify areas where internet access is unsatisfactory

2016-2017

  • Information sessions throughout rural Strathcona County to share information about the program, and gather feedback from residents
  • Installation of internet towers, on a priority basis, throughout rural Strathcona County; all towers are expected to be installed by end of 2017

2018

  • Complete free public access installations at Community Halls
  • Develop program sustainment plan

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Partnership with Strathcona County Library

The County has partnered with Strathcona County Library to install internet towers at rural community halls where internet access is unsatisfactory. This is made possible through the Library’s Bookmobile sponsor, Shell Canada Ltd. Thanks to this initiative, visitors will be able to enjoy unlimited free internet access at these facilities.

Bookmobile Library patrons will gain access to the Library’s entire suite of digital content and programming (such as eBooks, and downloadable music and movies), and be able to log into their accounts in real-time. 

View the status of community halls to see where free wi-fi access is currently available, or in progress:

Community Hall Wi-Fi Rollout Status (124.5 KB)

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Frequently asked questions

  • 1. Who do I contact for internet service in my area? Permanent link to Who do I contact for internet service in my area?

    Please contact the Internet service provider (ISP) directly to find out what plans and packages they offer. To determine which ISP is closest to your area, refer to the Internet Tower Location Map (PDF) at the top of this page.

    ISP contact info:

    MCSNet
    www.mcsnet.ca 
    1-866-390-3928

    Syban
    www.syban.net
    1-800-679-0345

  • 2. Why did the County provide financial incentives to internet service providers? Permanent link to Why did the County provide financial incentives to internet service providers?

    The County recognized there are significant up-front costs for internet service providers (ISPs) to install new towers in order to provide internet service in hard-to-reach rural areas where population is not as dense as in urban settings. By partnering with ISPs, the County was able to identify those rural areas with unsatisfactory internet access. Incentives provided to ISPs through the Rural Internet Access Program encouraged local service providers to enhance and expand their internet service in rural areas where it was needed most.

  • 3. There is a tower near my home but I still can’t get reliable high-speed internet. What can I do? Permanent link to There is a tower near my home but I still can’t get reliable high-speed internet. What can I do?

    Unfortunately, geographical features such as hilly and treed terrain may prevent a wireless signal from reaching your home. If you have confirmed with local Internet service providers (ISPs) that they are unable to provide internet access to your home, you may want to consider other options such as installing an antenna or a small tower on your property, or going with a cellular data plan. There are also additional service providers operating in Strathcona County that may be able to offer service to you:

    Alberta Communications
    www.albertacom.com
    780-496-7658

    CCI Wireless
    www.cciwireless.ca
    1-888-240-2224

    Xplornet
    www.xplornet.com
    1-877-969-3152

  • 4. Where are the new towers located? Permanent link to Where are the new towers located?

    The tower locations are identified on this map.

     

Further information

Kathi Day
Program Coordinator
Rural Internet Access Program
Information Technology Services

Phone: 780-464-8024
Cell: 587-334-0950
Email: ruralinternet@strathcona.ca

Last updated: Friday, May 04, 2018
Page ID: 37757