Moving at high speed
It’s a familiar feeling for many Islanders living in rural areas.
The webpage you’re trying to open freezes. The loading line doesn’t move and the frustration mounts.
Often, the task at hand is abandoned.
Don Quarles is no stranger to the slow internet issue at his residence in Bedeque and at his workplace in Indian River, calling it a barrier to information and experiences.
But all of that may soon change in Malpeque and surrounding areas following a recent funding announcement.
On July 16, Malpeque MP Wayne Easter announced taxpayers will be chipping in $857,100 to bring new or improved high-speed internet access to the Union Road, Spring Valley, Malpeque and Indian River areas.
Officials said the digital investment enhances opportunities for residents of all ages in those areas.
For Quarles, slow internet impacts everything from a guest’s experience at the Indian River Festival to the ability to sell food and drink via a wifi connection.
“For any operator in the area, it will be a big help. It will quickly change how people are able to get their information. The reality is, it gives that extra ability to dream bigger.”
In Quarles’s case, he wants to expand the streaming ability of the popular music festival held at Historic St. Mary’s Church. But to do that, a stronger and more reliable internet connection is needed.
“[But it will probably] attract a younger demographic, which is what I’ve been trying to do. [Having that larger bandwidth] will certainly feed into a broader demographic.”
Kelsey McIsaac, box office manager for the festival, has expressed frustration with the slow internet speed.
“It’s pretty bad. Our laptop has to always be connected to an
ethernet cord.
“And systems we use solely rely on on internet. So it can slow down and even freeze when we’re trying to sell tickets or provide show information.”
Quarles also works on the Heart of the Island initiative that aims to grow the tourism industry from areas like Kensington to Freetown to Stanley Bridge to Malpeque, and everywhere in-between.
“It deals with everything tourism. Ironically, one of the things we’ve been looking at is technology and the way people can get information about the areas when they are there.”
The funding is part of the Connect to Innovate program.