Redbridge Broadband Improvement (Low Bandwidth Map)
On March 30th, 2021 it was announced that Spectrum Telecom Group (NetSpectrum) would be building a new internet tower in Phelps Township (Redbridge) improving coverage and internet speeds in the area. Coverage is estimated and may be subject to alterations or modifications before deployment. A more in-depth community consultation will take place, but for information purposes, you can review the estimated coverage areas for the tower below.
Below are the estimated coverage plots for the internet tower within the Phelps Township deployment.
Please click here for map depicting new tower coverage.
Scott Mannering 1950-2017
The Project team at Blue Sky Net and Spectrum wishes to acknowledge the contribution of our friend and colleague Scott Mannering. Scott was an advocate and pioneer for better internet access throughout the rural north and a champion for service in his community of Redbridge. Professionally, Scott worked for Ontario Northland in the early days of establishing their Internet Service Provider division, later to become known as Ontera. While with Ontera, Scott was a founding board member of the Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation and later the Project Manager for it’s Information Communication Division, Blue Sky Net. Scott’s presence and guidance are missed, but his efforts live on.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is Involved?
Blue Sky Net, a not-for-profit Information Communication Technology Network advocates for broadband improvements throughout the North. Blue Sky Net created a gap study using GIS maps of broadband coverage as well as user submitted speed tests and applied for Universal Broadband Funding for this project and will receive $386,000 from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Blue Sky Net is responsible for oversight relating to these funding requirements.
NETSPECTRUM was established in 2006 as the child company of Spectrum Telecom Group Ltd. The company has been a provider of terrestrial wireless internet solutions to numerous rural communities in Northern Ontario and have grown their infrastructure to over 130 towers throughout the region. Spectrum Telecom Group is contributing $137,000 and will build and ultimately own the new towers as additional pieces of network infrastructure that will connect to their network already in place. Customers will purchase service through the ISP, NETSPECTRUM Internet Solutions. It is possible that other ISPs will resell the service as well.
How will this work?
Once the tower is built, interested individuals should contact NETSPECTRUM directly for service requests. If you are within probable range of the tower, technicians will schedule an on-site visit to confirm signal strength and to install the equipment pending signal strength tests. Typically, customers will receive an outdoor mounted antenna, cabling as well as a modem. Configuration of customer end equipment depends on a variety of factors including speed required, distance from tower, and terrain between tower and your location.
What happens if I think I am not in range of the new tower?
Fixed wireless networks depend on a certain degree of unobstructed path between a customer and a tower. Engineers decide on tower locations to maximize the number of people that can benefit from the improved service, however, harder to reach areas are sometimes not possible.
The maps provided on this page are purely estimates to give some idea of coverage for this project. These projections do not guarantee that areas under coverage plots are certain to receive service, while at the same time areas outside of these coverage plots are not guaranteed to be excluded. Even if the map depicts an area as out of range or uncovered, people interested in the new service are encouraged to fill out the form below, or contact Netspectrum directly.
Where do I go for more information?
Please fill out the contact form below. A project team member will route your inquiry to the proper person, or will simply hold your information for future communications and updates.