Presentation to Georgian Bay Township Council. April 11, Contents 4/18/2016

Transcription

1 Presentation to Georgian Bay Township Council April 11, 2016 Contents Who we are: MCN Who we are: Core Broadband History SIRA/ABRA Program BEAM Program Broadband Build Current Service Underserved Areas Future Plans 1

2 Who We Are: MCN MCN s Vision is to create a network of thriving innovative intelligent communities. Mission: MCN is a not-for-profit corporation that creates economic value by building information and communications technology capacity through partnerships in the new economy. MCN Board of Directors: Renato Romanin Chair John Finley Vice Chair Jennifer Schnier Past Chair Ken Albrough Secretary Don Mitchell Treasurer John Cooper Director Maureen Cubberley Director George Young Director Susan Tait Director Jack Hepworth Director MCN Staff: Marjorie MacDonald Acting Executive Director Shannan Boothby Technology Project Officer Kari Singer Communications and Collaboration Specialist Mary Wright Office Administrator Who We Are: Core Broadband Core Broadband was incorporated in 2006, and began network infrastructure builds in ISPs on the Core Network 4pairless.ca Cottage Country Internet (CCI) Indigiinet Interactive North Lakeland Energy Point-to-Point Broadband Surenet / Vianet 2

3 History 2000: MCN was incorporated under Muskoka Business Development Corporation - to address the Telecommunications strategy in Muskoka 2005: Operational Funding is received from FedNor. 2006: MCN launches SIRA program, helping remote businesses fund Satellite internet installation. 2007: MCN receives $1.6M funding for Broadband Build, leveraging over $1M private sector dollars to build 45 towers with Core Broadband. 2009: MCN pilots the BEAM program, helping SMEs with the cost of website development. 2012: MCN finishes the Broadband build on budget, expanding the project to 62 towers. Muskoka has gone from 12% coverage to over 85%. 2014: MCN issues RFP for the next phase of accessible internet, raising the minimum to 5 Mbps, the current CRTC standard for funding. 2015: MCN submits application to FedNor for funding for 5 Mbps. SIRA/ABRA Programs SIRA: Satellite Internet for Remote Areas - ran from assisted with the cost of satellite installation for business in areas not serviced by other means. ABRA: Advanced Broadband for Remote Areas any type of improved service, not just satellite, often fibre. Program to be reviewed as part of MCN s 2015/16 Strategic Plan, to determine demand, and availability of funding. 3

4 BEAM Program BEAM = Broadband for E-Business and Marketing 65-75% of the cost of website development, with a maximum cap (originally $2000, currently $5000) Piloted in 2009, currently on BEAM3. Over 450 projects completed, total grants accessed of $1.2M, and total economic spending over $2M. Application is pending for BEAM4, to assist another 120 SMEs. BEAM recipients say they are more competitive, revenues have increased, they are hiring or retaining employees and investing in their business. Broadband Build Project Start 2006 Proposed Build 4

5 Broadband Build 9 Towers in Georgian Bay: - Baxter Ward / Oak Bay - Crooked Bay - Hungry Bay / Six Mile Lake - Lone Pine - Macey s Bay - MacTier - Minor s Bay - South Bay - South Gibson Lake Green shows Excellent Coverage, Purple shows Good Coverage. Current Service Community Overview 5

6 Underserved Areas BAIMap project (funded by and available to FedNor) confirms that Georgian Bay is an underserved area. The maps available on this website can drill down to the property level to show service availability. Underserved Areas Why so much red on the previous map? 2006 funding was to deliver basic service (1.5 Mbps) to permanent residents. The current CRTC standard has raised to 5 Mbps. The underserviced (red) areas are calculated based on 5 Mbps. Therefore, the red areas may have coverage of less than 5 Mbps, see green areas Why are people complaining? The way we use Internet has changed dramatically: NetFlix didn t even offer service to Canada until By 2015, over 65% of Canadians owned a smartphone, and use it to connect to the Internet. Permanent residents can be adversely affected by extra load on the network during peak seasons. Seasonal residents do not have the speed or prices that they are used to in the larger urban centers, and are looking for seamless transitions between home and cottage. 6

7 Broadband Plans MCN applied to FedNor for $3M to meet the CRTC minimum of 5 Mbps in our region. Based on Core Broadband s response to an extensive RFP updates and expands the current wireless network provides more than the 5 Mbps minimum. Approval delayed due to Election. The Federal Budget announced $500 million for Broadband infrastructure did not give details of the program. 5 Mbps Project plans: Future Plans - Introducing LTE service providing 20 Mbps (higher speeds) and greater coverage areas. - MacTier Tower - Crooked Bay Tower - Baxter Tower - $300K in upgrades. - LTE Service to Towers in Moose Deer First Nations, Wahta First Nations and Torrance, all of which overlaps into North Eastern Georgian - $330K cost to upgrade - LTE (Long Term Evolution) service proven at several towers across the Core Broadband network with positive customer feedback. 7

8 Future Plans MCN Plans: Honey Harbour WiFi project: Core deployed 7 Wi-Fi hotspots for summer 2014 and continuing through 2015 to prove the demand exists to gather data on usage MCN applied to FedNor for funding for a sustainable community Wi-Fi plan based on that data. Core Broadband Plans: A new 100 Tower at the Fire Hall in Honey Harbour Core to cover cost of approx. $15K - existing equipment will be redeployed from the Delawana Inn. Will require Municipal approval and AC power. Future Plans MCN Plans: Recognizing the need for service for the seasonal population, to work with Council and Cottage Associations to map demand and find solutions. Core Broadband Plans: 120 Tower to replace existing fire tower at Port Severn. Center/Preferred spot given to emergency services radios to enhance their coverage Expand the coverage area, providing 20 Mbps service. Core to pay for tower build ($100K) Requires Municipal approval and AC power; and radios to be moved by emergency services department. 8

9 Questions? Thank-you for your time today. 9