BC Satellite Network Criteria and Application Process

As part of Round 1 of the National Satellite Initiative, and to enable some remote unserved communities to gain broadband access, the NetWork BC project office has identified the following communities to receive community broadband access via a C-band satellite connection. A special arrangement has been made with Infosat Communications, the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, Common IT Services, and Peer 1 Networks to provide and a high-speed broadband connection and low cost Internet transit for these communities. One connection per community will be supported. The connection will be available to either a for profit or not for profit entity in the community.

Under this arrangement, NetWork BC staff will need a technical and/or administrative contact person, or the community champion, to be available in the community to help guide the project through. In addition, the community needs a business plan and the means to meet monthly fees of $350. Monthly fees will consist of $150 to the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services for maintenance of the satellite equipment and $200 to Peer 1 Networks for Internet transit. The community will be responsible for installing virus protection at the gateway level and a caching system.

Here is a checklist for the community to follow:

• Is this a satellite community?
• Is there a community champion? Who is the community champion?
• Does the community have a need/request for broadband access?
• Are there computers in homes or businesses in the community?
• Does the community have a technical contact person or technical consultant for this project?
• What is the name of the community organization that would arrange and pay for the account with Peer 1? Credit card information may be required.
• Can the community support monthly fees of $350?

If the community answers yes to all of the above, here are the steps to follow to take part in the satellite access program. NetWork BC acts as a broker or contact point for the community in this process.

• The community contacts NetWork BC staff to request a satellite access request form. The checklist above is the information that is required to complete this form.
• The community contacts Peer1 Networks to establish an account for Internet transit. Peer 1 notifies NetWork BC once this account is approved.
• NetWork BC staff will be in touch with the community champion to confirm community information.
• NetWork BC orders the satellite equipment.
• Infosat Communications and/or Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services will be in contact with the community to arrange a site survey to determine the location and site preparation requirements for the satellite system.
• The site visit results and the detailed requirements for the site preparation will be forwarded to the community champion.
• The community hires a contractor to complete the required preparation work. The contractor bills the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services. NetWork BC reimburses these costs.
• Infosat Communications schedules and completes the satellite installation. NetWork BC pays for the associated costs.
• NetWork BC arranges a service agreement between the community and Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services for maintenance of the satellite equipment.
• NetWork BC maintains an on-going relationship with the community champion to monitor the implementation of the satellite service and the broadband access that has been made available to the community through the NetWork BC project.