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Anniversary marked of First Nation broadband expansion

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Bell Aliant celebrated a one-year anniversary of an initiative to expand broadband to First Nation communities.
Northern Ontario Business Staff

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Bell Aliant celebrated a one-year anniversary of an initiative to expand broadband to First Nation communities.

The Northwestern Ontario Broadband Expansion Initiative was announced in November 2010 as an $81-million joint effort to extend fibre optic networks into 26 remote communities.

To date, close to 400 kilometres of fibre has been extended into Red Lake, Popular Hill, Ignace, Musselwhite Mine and Cat Lake. The initiative wraps up in 2014.

In a Nov. 21 release, NAN Chief Stan Beardy said First Nations have the opportunity to capture the economic spinoffs in employment and training to prepare people for future endeavors in NAN territory. “This is a collaborative approach to building a backbone network that will provide these First Nation communities with enhanced and more reliable broadband services.”