BAIMAP – BROADBAND & ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE MAPPING ANALYSIS PROJECT
What is BAIMAP?
BAIMAP is a GIS application developed by Blue Sky Net which has access to broadband infrastructure data for Northern Ontario down to the property parcel level.
BAIMAP's History
It is has been a universal understanding for some time that access to high speed internet is essential for advancing our economy, quality of life and the sustainability of our communities. So why are there areas in Northern Ontario where high speed internet is not yet available to all our population?
Despite the recognition of the need for better internet access, and the efforts of the private sector, Information Communication Technology Development organizations and provincial and federal funding programs, some areas remain un-served while others do not have the bandwidth capacity essential to serve the community needs. Due to low population densities, and environmental and geographic factors, private sector service providers have difficulty justifying the large investment necessary to extend basic service and increase the bandwidth capacity of their existing networks.
Blue Sky Net has developed a sophisticated GIS analysis tool that has mapped all broadband coverage in Northern Ontario. We use a comprehensive database of coverage areas and gaps pulled from government data bases. Population and dwelling statistics are superimposed on these coverage maps to determine the number of people and households who were likely impacted by a lack of sustainable access to broadband.
Maps and data as well as the cost analysis can be provided to government funding programs to aid in policy and budget allocations. Data can also be provided to ISPs to assist them in visualizing what opportunities may exist in expanding their business and network coverage into new, inadequately served markets.
connectednorth.ca and BAIMAP
Some data collected from BAIMAP was used to create a public broadband access portal called “connectednorth.ca.” The main focus of this information portal is to provide consumers with information about service availability in their area. The site also provides opportunities for consumers to give input or feedback about their current broadband access. All of this information is used in developing a business case to improve services where they are needed.
Click on www.connectednorth.ca