Sunday, May 14, 2017

Letter from Network BC regarding internet service

The letter below was received by Kathy Wyse following an inquiry regarding poor internet service in Lac Le Jeune. It is shared with permission.

In addition, this is a summary of a Kathy's telephone conversation with Network BC:

* The quickest way to get increased speed in our internet is to change our internet server to explore net. In the past month they have access to new satellites which can upgrade us to 25 MB.
 * We could contact a small internet provider (Copper Valley Business, Glen Whittrock). He may be able to put up a cell tower on top of the old LLJ ski hill to provide us service. We should remind him that there is funding available through ‘Connecting BC’ (see below).
 * We are currently paying for service through Telus that we are not receiving. Therefore we can make a complaint through CCTS (see below)


From: "Network BC MTIC:EX" <NetworkBC@gov.bc.ca>
Subject: High-Speed Interent in Lac le Jeune
Date: May 11, 2017 at 9:22:50 AM PDT
To: "Network BC MTIC:EX" <NetworkBC@gov.bc.ca>
Cc: "Network BC MTIC:EX" <NetworkBC@gov.bc.ca>

Dear Citizen: 
Your recent correspondence regarding high-speed Internet coverage in Lac le Jeune has been conveyed to Network BC in the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.  We are pleased to respond to your request for assistance.  Network BC understands the important role of telecommunications and in particular the Internet in enabling citizens to participate in a digital world.
The Province relies on the private sector to provide Internet services throughout British Columbia.  Telecommunications companies are regulated federally by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), therefore, the Province cannot compel Internet service providers where to make their investments and provide their services.    The Province does, however, work with Internet service providers and other levels of government to address the Province’s goal of achieving high-speed Internet access to 100% of British Columbians.    
Network BC has reached out to Internet service providers operating in the area to determine the status of connectivity.  In addition, we encourage you, and your neighbors who do not have access to Internet service, to reach out to TELUS and other Internet service providers to convey your interest in the expansion of high-speed Internet service in your area. Please find contact information below:
·         For TELUS, contact Aurora Sekela, Community Ambassador, at (604) 836-8788or at Aurora.Sekela@telus.com
·         For Copper Valley Computers ltd. (dba NicolaNET), contact Glenn Wittrock at(250)378-6986 or at Contact@coppervalleycomputers.com
·         For Shaw Communications Inc., contact Kiersten Enemark, Government and Regulatory Affairs for BC, at (604) 629-3103 or at Kiersten.Enemark@sjrb.ca
Recently, two new satellites have been launched bringing significant increase to Internet speed to rural citizens, offering speeds of up to 25Mbps.  Interested residents can visithttps://www.xplornet.com/new-satellite-program/ or call  1-877-959-5717 for more information.     
Community stakeholders in areas where high-speed Internet service is currently not offered are advised to reach out to service providers and local governments to consider cost sharing strategies and to take advantage of the programs referred to below to address the lack of broadband access in their communities.   The Province supports programs to incent Internet service providers to expand services into areas where companies would otherwise find it difficult to establish a business case.  For example, the Province conveyed funding to the Northern Development Initiative Trust to expand the Connecting British Columbia program.  Please see http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/funding-programs/business-development/connecting-british-columbia/.    In addition, there are two other programs that may also assist: 
·         Third Rural Dividend Intake - The third intake of the BC Rural Dividend Program is open from April 3, 2017 to May 31, 2017. The new Program Guide and supporting documents is available at this link:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/developing-your-community/community-partners/rural-economic-development/rural-dividend

·         2017 UBCM Strategic Priorities Fund Intake - Local Governments are invited to prepare applications for the 2017 Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) intake.  . All applications must be submitted by end of day on June 1, 2017.  The SPF Program Guide and instructions are available at this link:  http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/renewed-gas-tax-agreement/strategic-priorities-fund.html

Telecommunications is regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The CRTC is holding two public consultations to explore the viability of telecommunications as an essential service under federal regulation associated with Telecom Regulatory Policy 2016-496  titled Modern telecommunications services – The path forward for Canada’s digital economy
·         2017-92 - Call for comments - Phase-out of the local service subsidy regime - Deadline for submission of interventions: May 25, 2017.  
·         2017-112 - Call for comments - Development of the Commission’s broadband funding regime – Deadline for submission of interventions:  June 28, 2017.
We would encourage you to participate in the above public consultations as well as contact the CRTC to voice your opinion over whether you believe high-speed Internet (broadband) should be a basic service and to convey your concern over the availability of broadband service in your area.  The contact information for the CRTC can be found at this link: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/contact/#internet_choice. It’s important for governments at all levels to hear directly from citizens and we urge you to share your views with the Federal government. 
Finally, complaints regarding issues related to your service provider should be directed to  the
Commission for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS). The CCTS is an independent organization that helps customers resolve complaints.  Some links below may be helpful: 
·         Complaints Process:  http://www.ccts-cprst.ca/complaints/complaints-process
·         Guide to Making a Complaint:  http://www.ccts-cprst.ca/complaints/guide
·         How to Make a Complaint:  http://www.ccts-cprst.ca/complaints/how-to
·         List of Participating Service Providers and their websites and their link to Filing a Complaint:  http://www.ccts-cprst.ca/complaints/service-providers
We hope the information presented above is helpful to the citizens of Lac le Jeune.
Sincerely,
Network BC |Office of the Chief Information Officer for the Province
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
Province of British Columbia

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