Blue Sky Net Broadband Expansion Approach
OVERVIEW
- Our objective is to facilitate Broadband projects in Northern Ontario that have an economical connection of at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload as per the CRTC targets.
- Low density population is the main reason providers are unwilling to invest in infrastructure improvements.
- Parity between urban and rural internet access is likely not realistic.
- Private sector must be the ones to build and operate high speed networks.
- First step is to identify and quantify demand for service.
- Outside funding is needed to offset low return on investment.
For our purposes we define Broadband as a high-capacity connection to the Internet that supports video, voice, and large/complex graphics. Since we first started facilitating the building of broadband networks, that capacity and need for speed has increased several times over. With the advent of social media and at home entertainment, it is no longer just a question of having broadband, but having broadband at a capacity to accommodate the growing techno market.
One of Blue Sky Net’s main goals is to bring affordable broadband to areas with limited or no access. Typically, urban areas throughout North America are well served with Fibre, DSL and Cable Modem service. By contrast, rural areas not only have slower speeds but also higher prices for these services. Simply put, building out a network in low-density areas costs more per subscriber versus urban areas, where a single apartment building can house hundreds of potential users as an example.
On a per capita basis, Canada ranks fairly well in the developed world in broadband penetration rates. However, there are many pockets of the country that remain a challenge in delivering these services. Unfortunately, Northern Ontario (especially the rural parts) is one of those pockets, but things are improving! Northern Ontario has a relatively low population density and a rugged environment. These are the two main contributing factors as to why you may not have high speed at home, or at your business.
We identify areas where coverage is insufficient to meet demand for service and determine a cost associated with the expansion of coverage using BAIMAP data.
If it is determined that an area lacks service and needs assistance, we may conduct a tendering process for interested parties to propose a technical and a financial solution to overcome service gaps.
Blue Sky Net then works with the successful bidder in writing funding application(s) to subsidize portions or components of the network’s infrastructure. If funding is acquired, we then facilitate the build or expand a network. The BSN function at this point is to help manage any funding allocation and provide assistance and information.