The Bearspaw and Chiniki bands in nearby Morley have joined forces to launch the Stoney Nakoda Telecom — to get Stoneys connected to high-speed Internet at an affordable price.
The project is in its pre-launch stage and, according to Bearspaw CEO Rob Shotclose, it will be fully operational this coming week and the services will be available for all paying customers on the Nation (including Wesley band members).
“This enables us to provide high-speed Internet and Internet phone to residents in Morley and Eden Valley,” explained Brian Frise, information technology manager for Stoney Tribal Administration.
The ticket on the technology initiative is around $1.3M. While the bands used $800,000 from a trust fund set up following a land claims settlement through the Stoney-Nakoda Economic Development Board, a $500,000 provincial grant came through from the ‘Final Mile Rural Connectivity Initiative’.
“The ‘Final Mile Program’ provides seed money for businesses to bring Internet services to rural Alberta communities,” said Frise, adding that the grant monies could only be used for infrastructure.
Five towers, ranging from 150-160 feet high, have been installed in the community of Morley.
Shotclose said they have two equipped vans and have been able to train and employ five Nation members, including four trained technicians and one office admin person.
“Most people don’t have Internet, or they have dial-up (which is inefficient) or satellite — which can get really expensive,” explained Shotclose, adding that their five-year business plan includes getting 80 per cent of the 920 Nation homes connected.
The rates are $150 for a first-time install; $50/month for high-speed Internet; and $65/month for Internet and Internet phone (landline).
“People are excited…even the elders are talking about it,” said Shotclose. “This is a far more reliable service than what is currently being used.”
The Nation contracted Wiband Communications to assist with the install; Telus assisted, as well.
The Final Mile Program is a ‘joint effort between Service Alberta and Agriculture and Rural Development to connect unserved Alberta households to high-speed Internet’.
Announced in January of 2012, an estimated 94 per cent of Albertans had access to high-speed Internet services; the program aims to bring this number up to 98 per cent.
