BOWDEN - The town is looking into the possibility of obtaining fibre optic service for the community from Axia Fibre, an Alberta company that specializes in providing Internet and other communication services to rural communities.
Jason O'Conner of Axia community relations proposed that idea during a presentation to council.
He said Axia would be willing to install fibre to make that happen if 30 per cent of potential serviceable homes and businesses were on board.
However, O'Conner said Axia would prefer to install that fibre via overhead lines, rather than trenching it underground.
Council didn't like that.
"It doesn't make any sense," Coun. Paul Webb said. "Running that stuff overhead? While it makes some short-term business sense for them, I mean, you're running the highest tech connectivity available and you're spreading it like a dirty clothesline; no way."
Coun. Wayne Milaney said that's why in Olds, O-NET trenched its fibre underground.
Webb suggested the town enter into exploratory talks with Axia officials about providing fibre into Bowden, outlining the pros and cons of installing it underground or above ground.
"Communities have gone away from overhead. It's unsightly, it's problematic. I can't even imagine going up there in a blizzard. I mean, it's a good setup for them, but we're charged with planning for the future," he said.
Webb stressed he sees the cost of trenching as being Axia's cost - not the town's.
Chief administrative officer James Mason said he's not opposed to seeing the fibre go above ground or underground, but added when lines of any kind are underground "it makes a bigger headache for the town" if a problem occurs and they have to be accessed.
"Every time there's one more thing underground, it means hydrovacing, more technology and stuff," Mason said.
Hydrovacing utilizes water under high pressure to dig in places where mechanical excavation can't be done, like around pipelines or undergound electrical services.
Coun. Wayne Milaney, who works in the construction industry, agreed with Mason's statement but said "that's the way of the world" these days.
"I mean, even working up north, you can't dig anywhere. There's gas lines, oil lines, something," Milaney said. "So I agree with hanging around the poles. We've got enough junk hanging on the poles. (They create) more highways for the squirrels."
In the end, council voted in favour of Webb's motion to enter into talks with Axia about providing fibre into Bowden outlining the pros and cons of installing it underground or above ground.
"I mean, you're running the highest tech connectivity available and you're spreading it like a dirty clothesline; no way."COUN. PAUL WEBB
