A final decision on what the future of modern, high-speed Internet infrastructure will look like in Sundre has again been delayed.
Despite numerous detailed presentations by administration that outline estimated costs and returns on investment, elected officials agreed during the Dec. 4 meeting to postpone providing additional direction on Dec. 11 as initially planned until after they have had a chance to review the 2018 budget.
Also contributing to the decision to delay was a discussion with a company that's potentially willing to deploy its own infrastructure. It's important to note that if a company is willing to come into the municipality to install its own network, there is clearly an undeniable potential for return on investment. Otherwise, the company would simply decline to spend a dime.
So Sundre has a unique opportunity to show other small municipalities that are desperately seeking to escape the Digital Dark Age that not only is a publicly- owned broadband network feasible, but also profitable as well. Not today of course, and perhaps not even tomorrow. However, the eventual return is not so much a question of "if" but rather "when."
"There is a net positive downstream benefit for the public option for future councils," said Vic Pirie, director of finance and administration, during council's Nov. 27 meeting.
"It wouldn't happen for roughly about 10 years, but at some point down the road, it would be generating net positive cash flows that could actually be utilized on an annual basis."
And that transition time period from paying back debenture borrowing to padding reserves with profits is based on highly conservative estimates.
An in-depth survey that garnered more participation from the public than any previous such community consultation in Sundre, indicates a potential residential buy-in of roughly two-thirds. Yet administration calculated that a town-owned broadband network would be profitable within about 10 years with only a 30 per cent buy-in rate from residents.
Even accounting for maintenance and operational costs, the public option could, once paid off, yield more than $100,000 every year ó a figure that increases more and more as additional residents and businesses sign on.
One thing remains certain beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Regardless of whether the municipality pursues a public or private option to deploy broadband Internet, making sure the community has access to high-speed digital communications is crucial for Sundre's future growth and sustainability.
"Having good communications technology is fundamental to compete," said Jon Allan, Sundre's economic development officer, adding the infrastructure also provides additional incentive for younger people who are considering making Sundre home.
"We need to ensure we remain a desirable location."
The big question now is would we rather keep future profits local, or let substantial sums of desperately needed revenues be siphoned straight out of the municipality and into the pockets of private interests?
ó Simon Ducatel is the Round Up's editor
