To be an open-access network
BROOKS, AB — Brooks, Alberta, announced this week it has reached an agreement with a consortium led by Community Network Partners, a subsidiary of Crown Capital Partners Inc., for the construction and operation of a next-generation, fibre-optic broadband network capable of delivering 10-gigabits-per-second service to every household and business in the community.
The southern Alberta city of 14,400, which is about halfway between Medicine Hat and Calgary, will invest $5.3 million in the project and will own the backbone network. Community Network Partners will invest $15.7 million to connect residents and business locations to the backbone, with the network being operated as one seamless network.
Lite Access Technologies will be responsible for the construction of the entire network, with IBI Group providing planning, design and project management services to the partners.
Construction will take place over the next three years, and as neighbourhoods are constructed, they will be able to sign up for Internet, television and telephone service with the new community-based Internet service provider, says the city of Brooks’ press release.
The city and Community Network Partners will contract with O-Net, a community network operator in Olds, Alberta, as an initial provider of retail services to customers.
“The network will be operated on an open-access basis, allowing for competitive retail service providers to offer services on the network and allow residents and businesses within the city a choice of retail service providers,” reads the press release.
“With this investment the City of Brooks will become one of the first 10 Gbps communities in North America, positioning it as an attractive location for knowledge-based industries and residents who value affordable high-speed connectivity along with a well-balanced life rooted in community,” says the release.
The city is currently served by both Shaw and Telus with various broadband packages.
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