Internet upgrade sought
Inverness County’s warden expects that Cape Breton’s rural municipal councils will move as quickly as possible to meet and address lagging broadband internet access in the areas they serve.
The municipalities — Inverness, Victoria and Richmond counties — have been discussing how to work together to improve connectivity for their residents. Warden Betty Ann MacQuarrie said at its regular meeting earlier this month her council passed a motion to move forward with the next steps in the process.
“There is a meeting to be organized once all of the municipalities involved approve that motion at their council meeting,” MacQuarrie said.
Lack of access to broadband and poor cellular service are seen as putting areas at a disadvantage when it comes to development. MacQuarrie noted the Canadian government has declared universal access to internet a fundamental right.
Once the municipalities are able to meet, they will determine a strategy for moving forward.
“It’s going to mean further discussion and looking at funding and talking with federal and provincial governments and working out a plan, possibly talking with some providers, who at this point are not identified,” MacQuarrie said. “It will be a process of taking the next steps and moving forward with hopefully ensuring that everyone has good internet.”
MacQuarrie said she’s getting good feedback from residents about the councils’ interest in rectifying the problem, as well as many questions as to when and how improvements may be seen.
Officials from the municipalities have already met with representatives of the Cape Breton Partnership to discuss the issue. A company also presented some options at that meeting that could provide expanded internet service.
Inverness County has had a connectivity committee comprised of councillors looking at the problem for some time, exploring various options.
One service provider had announced its intention to bring ultra high-speed service down part of Route 19 into Inverness County, which MacQuarrie said seemed promising, however, it never materialized.