Internet Access for Remote communities.

I smell research opportunity, but not sure who to pitch it to. I.e. who would fund such a thing.


Here's my thought. Internet access to Northern Manitoba Communities. Impossible to get reliable statistics on, aboriginal communities not counted by stats can. I'll have to start by doing some lit search. This may have to wait until after I finish MADLAT presentation.

I might even post that one here. In the meantime, ponder these two opposing statements re: sufficient levels of access.

“Current connectivity rates are not sufficient to support existing two-way multimedia applications, therefore making it difficult to integrate electronic applications into socio-economic development undertakings.” From “Broadband access for First Nations People in http://www.manitobachiefs.com/issue/technology.html#sectbroadband (Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs web site, accessed April 8, 2010.)

Government of Manitoba meanwhile boasts…”Broadband services are available to the majority of Manitobans, including fibre deployment to most major office buildings and industrial parks in the province. The Manitoba government is working to ensure that all communities in Manitoba, including those in remote areas, have access to broadband services by 2010.

Manitoba has one of the world’s most advanced fibre optic networking and digital switching platforms, with 100% digital switching throughout the province and over 200 switches to support the network grid - the third largest concentration in Canada. “http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/invest/busfacts/utilities/broadband.html, last accessed April 8, 2010.