P.E.I. business leader applauds news of better internet for rural areas
'You can't co-ordinate business these days without having internet service'
Xplornet Communications has been awarded a $1.6 million contract to deliver broadband to rural areas of Prince Edward Island.
- New money for rural broadband will help farmers, says Lawrence MacAulay
- Infrastructure money will benefit P.E.I., says MP Wayne Easter
It's a move that can't come too soon said Keir White, general manager of the Belfast Community Development Corporation and vice-chair of the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce.
People see it as an essential service, like water and power.- Keir White, Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce
"It's right at the top of everyone's list ... you can't co-ordinate business these days without having internet service," White said.
The lack of dependable internet service has been frustrating for businesses, added White, who also runs Belfast Highland Greens golf course and Lord Selkirk campground.
"Sometimes it actually won't even work, just depends how much bandwidth someone is using. Then you can't even access basic services like email or Facebook," he said.
The Xplornet contract is part of $305 million committed in the federal budget to deliver high-speed connections to Canadians in rural areas.
The P.E.I. portion is supposed to extend high-speed internet to 12,000 homes.
The cost of internet packages with Xplornet Communications ranges from $50 to $110 per month.
Having a fast and efficient connection is something everyone expects these days, even when they are on vacation, said White.
"People see it as an essential service, like water and power."
With files from Laura Meader