From: cpi-ua@vancouvercommunity.net

Subject: Re: [CPI-UA] High-speed Internet plan for all of Ottawa

What would be the monthly cost for this service?

Would it provide Universal Access in any meaningful way?

Colin W.

Paul Nielson wrote:

> CBC News Online - Ottawa News Digest 03/02/19
>
> Ottawa - A high-speed Internet connection for everyone!
> That's the aim of Ottawa city planners. They want to encourage more
> development outside the urban core.
> They hope that will cut down on congestion on highways and on downtown
> streets.
> The plan is to provide city-wide access to high-speed Internet within
> five years.
> In 1928, U.S presidential candidate Herbert Hoover promised "a chicken =
in
> every pot and a car in every garage."
> On Tuesday, Ottawa city planners promised high-speed Internet in every
> home =97 with the car remaining in the garage.
> Rob Mackay, city manager of business initiatives, says that, already, t=
wo
> of every three urban households in Ottawa are connected to the Internet=
 =97
> the highest rate in Canada.
> "In the case of the rural area, we're making pretty good strides, but w=
e
> still have about 24,000 dwelling units that can't access broadband
> (high-speed)," Mackay says.
> The plan is, with the help of the private sector, to make high-speed
> connections available by cable, wireless or satellite.
> Mackay says this will allow people, while staying in their homes, to
> develop their business, to "telework," and to participate in downtown
> meetings =97 all without using the car.
> "It certainly contributes to the city's smart-growth principles, in tha=
t
> it will hopefully reduce the need to use a car to come into the
> community," he says.
> Mackay describes Ottawa's high-speed-Internet plan as one of the most
> aggressive among Canadian cities.
> There'll be a public forum on the plan at city hall on Saturday morning.
> For this meeing, suburban residents will still have to drive downtown.