Province launches broadband initiative

The provincial government launched the next phase in the “Connect Ontario” program yesterday—an initiative aimed at bringing broadband access to rural and northern communities.
Connect Ontario: Broadband Regional Access (COBRA) is a $55-million program that will provide support over the next three years to bring high-speed telecommunications to small communities in rural and Northern Ontario.
The program is designed to encourage public/private partnerships to lay the foundation for affordable, reliable broadband service for public-sector institutions as well as accessible infrastructure for homes and businesses.
Eligible non-profit groups or municipalities must submit a business plan that addresses accessibility, provides a minimum of 1.5 mega-bytes per second transfer rate, and includes a sustainable business, revenue, and partnership model.
COBRA will not accept proposals spearheaded by telecom service providers, but can include partnerships with tourism organizations, Chambers of Commerce, First Nations, and others.
Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate long-term sustainability, provide the best regional coverage for the lowest cost, and require the least amount of provincial support.
Proposals with high partnership contributions, including from federal initiatives, also will be given a higher priority.
The Industry Canada pilot program, Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND), will complement and support COBRA, the province said.
An application for BRAND funding to develop a business plan, representing seven area First Nations, already has been accepted. That business plan is to be completed and submitted by March 31.
The three-year COBRA program will support one application from each eligible region across the province.
COBRA will cover up to 50 percent of eligible infrastructure project costs of selected applications.
In northern communities where there is no “anchor city” with a population over 50,000, and having a population density of less than 50 people per square kilometre, the province may consider covering more than 50 percent of costs.
The COBRA program also will provide up to $100,000 for development of broadband infrastructure business plans in targeted eligible regions.
The deadline for applications is March 3 and June 2.