Alberta commits $150M to jump-start rural broadband, seeks private, federal support
Posted Jul 22, 2021 2:39 pm.
Last Updated Jul 22, 2021 2:49 pm.
CAMROSE, Alta. — Alberta is committing up to $150 million to improve internet connectivity in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Premier Jason Kenney says the money is meant to help bring in contributions from private companies and the federal government.
The government is still working out the details of a timeline and where the $150 million would be spent.
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Kenney says Alberta was once a national leader in rural broadband, but has fallen back in the last 15 years.
The province says 80 per cent of First Nations and 67 per cent of rural areas don’t have access to reliable broadband internet coverage.
Kenney says that means about 12 per cent of Alberta homes face an intolerable obstacle in the digital age.
