Prince Edward Island communities soon to have access to highspeed

Nov-14-08

Every community across Prince Edward Island will soon have high speed internet thanks to Aliant’s new agreement with the government.
Aliant will invest $8.2 million to invest in broadband services across the Island in exchange for a five-year telephone service contract with the government.
Premier Robert Ghiz made the announcement at a news conference Nov.12. He said he wants to make sure every Islander has an equal opportunity to access the internet.
“Aliant will finance and build the network on its own. Aliant has agreed to use the same rich structure as applied to residents in urban centres. That means that all Islanders will have access to the same level of service at the same price.”
The project should be completed within the next year, he said.
“This new service will be offered on a timely, reliable and affordable basis to virtually any Islander who wants it. Aliant will invest $8.2 million to build a full broadband network with the project to be completed in 2009.”
In the last election campaign the provincial government said it would provide broadband services to the entire Island and this was later enforced in the 2008 budget and the economic blueprint, Island Prosperity, A Focus for Change.
Bruce Howitt, president of Aliant P.E.I., said they’re very pleased to partner with the government.
“We share the Island’s vision for the future. Island prosperity and change.”
Aliant is very happy to partner with the government, Howitt added.
Fisheries minister Allan Campbell said he looks forward to working with Aliant.
“We are confident this is the right way to go.”
“My first reaction was, sounds too good to be true, as I’m sure everyone in the room is thinking today,” said Ghiz.