There has not yet been a firm commitment of expression of interest from any private companies to install a fibre optic broadband Internet network in Sundre, council heard last week.
“It’s been pretty much exactly a month since the decision went forward to seek out a private investor,” said Jon Allan, economic development officer, who during the April 16 meeting provided elected officials with an update as directed the week prior by Coun. Paul Isaac.
“I’m trying to pursue all options. I want to make it happen. I want to deliver. But it is a bit of a process,” said Allan.
Some of the steps taken to date have included in-person meetings with representatives from Axia Connect and O-NET, as well as sending out several invitational emails to contacts that had previously been approached, such as Shaw and Telus, he said.
“The only company that I’ve received any feedback from has been Axia.”
That company’s general reply has been a stated intent to submit an expression of interest by May 1, he said.
“I’m hoping to be able to come back to you sometime in May to report back what else I’ve learned.”
In the meantime, the economic development officer said he is also exploring alternative options to deploy broadband in Sundre that would not require public dollars.
“That might include a co-operative,” he said.
“I’m trying to exhaust all avenues.”
However, the soonest the next update on the response from companies contacted can be expected will be sometime next month, he said.
Coun. Rob Wolfe inquired if Axia had indicated any interest prior to June, when Alberta’s SuperNet contract with the company, which operates the province's network, will be up for renewal.
“It’s hard getting a straight answer, to be perfectly honest, from them,” Allan replied.
“They kind of alluded to the fact the SuperNet decision might affect them because it is a fairly substantial contract for the overall Axia umbrella,” he said, referring to Axia SuperNet, which operates the provincial network, and Axia Connect, which has been working to connect rural communities.
However, Allan said the company still intends to move forward in 13 communities where commitments have been made.
“But they haven’t promised that they’ll be able to have a timeline,” he said, adding the municipality for now will have to wait for an expression of interest until after the provincial government’s decision.
Wolfe sought further clarification about information Axia had presented during an Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention.
“They explained to us that they were fully funded by a Swiss group so I don’t know how they’re being so reliant on the SuperNet decision,” said Wolfe.
Allan did not immediately have a definitive answer, but said there are two companies under the main Axia umbrella — Axia SuperNet and Axia Connect, the latter being the subsidiary the municipality would work with.
“I’m just going to suggest that we wait until after May 1 to see what kind of suggestion they have,” he said.
Mayor Terry Leslie wondered if Sundre was among the 13 communities Axia has made commitments with.
“They weren’t clear on who those 13 communities were — we might be. But I don’t want to say yes,” said Allan.
The mayor asked if further clarification on that question could be obtained and agreed there was no sense in speculating.
“We should wait patiently until May 1 to see if there’s something more formal that comes forward,” said Leslie.
Isaac agreed there was not much else to discuss until more information was available, and tabled a motion to approve Allan’s report for information, which carried unanimously.
Brief breakdown of SuperNet’s background
Alberta’s SuperNet was completed in 2005 and the fibre optic high-speed Internet network connects municipalities throughout the province.
Although public infrastructure in many rural communities got a big boost — such as schools and medical facilities — the network’s last mile, or final connection to a premise or building, was never extended to reach residents or businesses and instead was left in the hands of private Internet service providers to step in.
To this day, there remains a substantial last mile connectivity gap throughout rural Alberta.
The province’s contract with Axia expires this June, and the companies bidding on what is being called SuperNet 2.0 are reported to be Axia, Bell, Telus and Zayo.
