Bell Canada, in partnership with Pwi-di-goo-zing Ne-yaa-zhing Advisory Services here, is in the process of installing digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet lines in Rainy River District, with the service expected to be up and running this fall.
“Work has absolutely begun,” Bell spokeswoman Nessa Prendergast said Wednesday. “The expected timeline for service is fall 2004. . . . It will start hopefully within the next couple of months.”
Bell has partnered with Advisory Services through the federal Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) pilot program.
It was launched through Industry Canada to assist northern, rural, and First Nation communities gain access to broadband Internet connections—with the goal of improving health and education, as well as economic opportunities.
DSL will be available to 10 First Nation communities in the district, including Couchiching, Stanjikoming, Nicickousemenecaning, Seine River, Lac La Croix, Rainy River, Naicatchewenin, Whitefish Bay 34A, North West Angle, and Ojibways of Onigaming.
In addition, the Town of Fort Frances, along with the townships of Devlin, Emo, and Nestor Falls, will benefit from the broadband connections.
The total cost of the project is expected to be $.27 million, with Bell contributing $1.56 million, the federal government $890,000, and Advisory Services $256,000.
Once the infrastructure is in place, homes, businesses, and institutions will be able to sign up for the service through Bell.
DSL is a high-capacity connection to the Internet using telephone lines. It allows you to make and receive calls while online, and can be up to 100 times faster than dial-up (to a maximum of eight megabits per second).
DSL connections are not affected by the number of users online at one time, but the technology is distance-sensitive. The longer the phone line between the user and the phone company, the slower the connection.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
