Two private companies have signalled their interest in deploying a fibre optic network within town limits.
“I’ve got some good news,” Jon Allan told council during the May 28 meeting.
“There are a couple of companies who have expressed a genuine desire to start conversations to come to town.”
Last month, the town asked private investors interested in deploying a fibre optic network within town limits to submit expressions of interest.
CCI Wireless and Canadian Fiber Optics made submissions.
“CCI’s mandate is to serve smaller rural areas of Alberta,” he said.
“We represent a very good opportunity for them.”
Initial conversations with that company’s CEO, Jordan Young, indicate a potential deployment timeline to have the first customers connected by the end of next year, he said.
The municipality’s interest in deployment of fibre optic broadband either publicly or privately, was not only to foster economic growth but also to generate revenues, he said.
Allan said Canadian Fiber Optics president Mike Stelckthe seemed receptive to further discussing the possibility of some form of shared downstream revenues.
Although Canadian Fiber Optics typically tends to service businesses, he said the company expressed a potential interest in pursuing beyond that mandate in Sundre, he said, adding the timeline for deployment could range between 14 and 19 months.
Attempts to contact other companies such as 3C Information Solutions, Lightcore, Shaw Communications, Telus, O-NET and Axia Connect have also been ongoing, said Allan.
Although Telus and Shaw have not expressed a desire to invest, Allan added the others might be receptive to further discussions.
“I would like to request council to allow administration to continue these conversations since they’re very positive, and I’m excited by them.”
Coun. Cheri Funke motioned to continue engaging with companies that have demonstrated a tangible interest in investing into a fibre optic high speed Internet network in Sundre, as well as to invite them to present their proposals to council in the near future.
Council largely seemed supportive of the motion.
Coun. Paul Isaac spoke in favour, but expressed concerns about how long the process has taken to date.
“At what point are we going to stop talking? Two years, $150,000 of taxpayers' money,” said Isaac, pointing to all the research and consultations that have taken place over that span of time.
“For me, it’s like diplomacy,” said Allan.
Ensuring a quality end product for the public is essential, Allan said, adding he also wants to see action but that plans cannot come together without engaging conversations with interested parties to make sure the community's needs are met.
Mayor Terry Leslie pointed out that the town’s initial study had been to pursue the possibility of a public or privately owned broadband network, and that as information evolved along the way council eventually decided to pull the plug.
“In the intervening time since council made that decision, the expression of interest has only been a short period of time,” he said.
Coun. Todd Dalke asked if residents are able to express interest in high speed Internet through Axia’s website to show that company sufficient local demand exists, and if so whether the municipality could make public that information.
“That would do nothing but improve our position from a negotiation perspective, regardless of whoever we are able to create a relationship with,” said Allan.
“We want the best option.”
Funke’s motion carried unanimously.
