Rural broadband expansion two months ahead

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Posted By JACQUELYNN BENSON Fleishman-Hillard

Posted 1 month ago

Camrose County and Barrett Xplore Inc. announced that the county's rural broadband expansion project, whereby Barrett will provide its Xplornet high-speed Internet services to residents in presently un-served rural areas, will be completed by the end of July.

The project was initially scheduled to be completed by the end of year. However, new tower construction and network upgrades for Barrett's fixed wireless network are substantially ahead of schedule. Six new broadcast locations have already been placed into service and upgrades at three previously existing locations are complete.

Barrett Xplore Inc. will provide 100% broadband coverage using its unique dual technology solution, a combination of both fixed wireless and satellite technologies. A unique and affordable satellite offer available only to Camrose County residents will shortly be made available in the areas that will not be served by the expanded fixed wireless network.

With the Barrett Xplore solution, over 2,700 County residents un-served by DSL or cable will be able to browse the Internet, download music, upload photos to friends and family members, bank online, and much, much more.

"Our council and county administration are very pleased that the project is ahead of schedule and has proceeded so smoothly," said Don Gregorwich, Reeve of Camrose County. "Our residents have expressed a strong need for Internet services and now everyone in the County, regardless of where they reside, will have access to what has become an important service necessity and the County will reap economic and social benefits as a result."

"We appreciate our special relationship with Camrose County," said Bill Robertson, general manager of Western Canada for Barrett Xplore Inc., "and very much look forward to having the privilege of serving the residents of the County. We are also proud to support the local businesses in the Camrose area that sell and support our service."

Residents are encouraged to register at www.xplornet.com or call 1-866-841-6001 to be referred to a local dealer partner in the area or to obtain more information.

Camrose County, using a competitive bidding process, issued a request for Proposal (RFP) to seek a high-speed Internet service provider that could provide reliable, affordable high-speed Internet access to all rural areas within the County. In August 2009, council voted to accept the recommendation of the evaluation committee and awarded the project to Barrett because of its unique capability to provide 100 per cent coverage.

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