Post by IAMCAPER on Jan 4, 2007 14:30:01 GMT -4
Seaside Communications has won a bid to provide wireless high-speed Internet to as many as 2,500 customers in rural Cumberland County.
The announcement made Wednesday in Northport will expand the service to help rural areas reach their full economic and social potential, Premier Rodney MacDonald said during a news conference.
Seaside, which has nearly 14,000 wireless and cable Internet customers along Cape Breton’s eastern shore from New Waterford to St. Peter’s, as well as in Baddeck, will begin rolling out the state-of-the-art broadband government pilot project to unserved areas between Tidnish and Port Howe, Cumberland County, in late February.
General manager of Seaside Communications, Roland McCaffrey said it’s a quick turnaround but it’s manageable for the small telecommunications company based in Sydney.
“We hope to have the entire project finished by the end of June. It’s pretty fast paced,” said McCaffrey, who has high hopes in expanding the company farther on to the mainland.
Wireless technology is seen as a reliable and lower cost method to providing high-speed Internet to rural areas.
The total cost is expected to run $1.3 million, with the province contributing $430,000. Seaside, which is partnering with companies Motorola, Nova Communications and Vistacare, will put up the remaining $900,000.
Although some residents in the county have dial-up Internet service, the high-speed option will expand the opportunity for commerce, especially among farmers, he said.
“It’s very critical to farmers who might have to sell stock or acquire stock, produce or grains, for example.
“They can get the latest prices, they can make their contacts. They can send pictures of the cows that they might have for sale.”
Tourism operators, teachers, students and hospitals will also gain a lot from high-speed Internet, McCaffrey said.
The announcement made Wednesday in Northport will expand the service to help rural areas reach their full economic and social potential, Premier Rodney MacDonald said during a news conference.
Seaside, which has nearly 14,000 wireless and cable Internet customers along Cape Breton’s eastern shore from New Waterford to St. Peter’s, as well as in Baddeck, will begin rolling out the state-of-the-art broadband government pilot project to unserved areas between Tidnish and Port Howe, Cumberland County, in late February.
General manager of Seaside Communications, Roland McCaffrey said it’s a quick turnaround but it’s manageable for the small telecommunications company based in Sydney.
“We hope to have the entire project finished by the end of June. It’s pretty fast paced,” said McCaffrey, who has high hopes in expanding the company farther on to the mainland.
Wireless technology is seen as a reliable and lower cost method to providing high-speed Internet to rural areas.
The total cost is expected to run $1.3 million, with the province contributing $430,000. Seaside, which is partnering with companies Motorola, Nova Communications and Vistacare, will put up the remaining $900,000.
Although some residents in the county have dial-up Internet service, the high-speed option will expand the opportunity for commerce, especially among farmers, he said.
“It’s very critical to farmers who might have to sell stock or acquire stock, produce or grains, for example.
“They can get the latest prices, they can make their contacts. They can send pictures of the cows that they might have for sale.”
Tourism operators, teachers, students and hospitals will also gain a lot from high-speed Internet, McCaffrey said.