The Municipality of Pictou County’s (MOPC) rural internet project is a step closer to offering residents quality service.
Crews started placing fibre on poles in rural Pictou County at the end of November. There is also considerable work being undertaken at MOPC’s administration building as it prepares to be the network’s hub.
“I am excited to see the first visible signs of our high-speed internet project as the rubber finally hits the road,” said MOPC Warden Robert Parker. “I know that many of our rural residents are getting tired of hearing it is coming soon.”
The Municipality of Pictou County is building a network that will service not only the needs of rural residents who want to stream movies or work from home, but the data utility will support larger commercial and industrial needs including education, agriculture, and health care.
The need for improved internet service in rural Pictou County has been an ongoing issue for many years. MOPC council has taken the steps to create a network that will see two thirds of Pictou County homes receive fibre and another one-third have access to wireless service. Depending on geographical location, some homes and businesses will have the option of both fibre and wireless services.
Thirteen telecommunication tower sites have been approved and another four locations have been identified. Top wireless speeds will reach 50 Mbps and the project will see 1123 kms of fibre installed for eligible residents and businesses.
“Both the wireless and fibre portions of the project are being done simultaneously and that work will continue throughout the winter,” Warden Parker says. “The head office component is well on the way with new equipment being installed daily and new staff will be hired soon to help operate the network. The important thing now is to keep the ball rolling to deliver the best quality high-speed internet possible to all our residents at a competitive price.”
Once the infrastructure is in place, the MOPC will sell network services to internet service providers, who will provide service to residents. This, in turn, will allow the municipality to create revenue from the project rather than paying telecommunications companies to build the infrastructure and collect revenue without any return for the MOPC. The estimated cost for the project is slightly over $50 million to be financed over 20 years.
Internet service providers and pricing for both the fibre and wireless services will be provided soon on the ruralnet.munpict.ca and through many other forms of communication.
Residents can find out more about the services they will be offered by clicking on the live map on the www. ruralnet.munpict.ca.