Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the digital divide?
2. What is Broadband? How is it an improvement over the Internet access these communities already have?
3. Why is it important to bridge the divide?
4. How were "communities" identified for this project?
5. What about communities not part of the list of 366? When will they get connected?
6. How will the government's partnership with TELUS bridge the divide?
7. How long will it take to bridge the digital divide?
8. When will my community have access to broadband Internet?
9. How do small communities go about getting their communities connected?
10. How will bridging the digital divide change healthcare for people living in remote communities?
11. What is Telehealth?
12. How will improved Internet links in schools help students with their learning?
13. What benefit does having high-speed broadband Internet provide to rural or remote communities when they are suffering from a downturn in the resource economy?

1. What is the digital divide?

In BC's smaller towns and communities, Internet connection speed and level of service is vastly different than in larger centers. The "Digital Divide" is the gap between those British Columbians with access to the new technology – including skills training, computers and broadband Internet access – and those without.

Currently, 151 BC communities, including 76 First Nations communities or communities in proximity to First Nations, do not have broadband access. Once this project is completed. 92 percent of British Columbians will have broadband service available to them.

Without this access the residents of these remote and rural communities, receive limited information and services on-line, cannot access telehealth healthcare services, have fewer educational opportunities and are unable to participate in the new knowledge-based economy.

2. What is broadband? How is it an improvement over the Internet access these communities already have?

Broadband technology refers to high-speed Internet access, which makes it possible to send text, video and voice by cable, digital subscriber line, fibre optics or wireless connections.

Broadband eliminates waiting for dial-up connections and greatly improves the efficiency and ease of using the Internet.

3. Why is it important to bridge the divide?

The importance of broadband Internet and the infrastructure to run it is on a par with that of the railroads of the 19th century or the highways of the 20th century. We want people in rural, remote and First Nations communities to have the same access to the benefits of technology as people in urban centers - we want to bring big city opportunities to rural and remote communities. This will mean better education, health and job opportunities especially for people living in rural communities.

In addition to connecting these unserved communities to the Internet, solving the digital divide also involves putting in place a strong next generation network that will support government's goal of enabling the delivery of e-government services.

4. How were "communities" identified for this project?

The definition of what constitutes a community -- that is a place with either a public school, a library, or a healthcare facility -- was determined by the Premier's Technology Council (PTC). When the PTC developed its plan to bridge the digital divide in BC it was clear that a definition was required to establish some boundaries on the project.

Having schools as part of the primary definition of community means that all provincial settlements will be within relatively easy traveling distance of a community with broadband. Internet access is also available through provincial libraries and other public access sites.

5. What about communities not part of the list of 366? When will they get connected?

Having access to a broadband connection is an important part of life in the 21st century and by the end of 2006, 92 per cent of British Columbians will have access to broadband - making BC the most connected province in Canada and one of the most connected jurisdictions in the world. The Province will continue to work with its stakeholders, including all communities, Internet service providers and the federal government to address digital divide issues.

6. How will the government's partnership with TELUS bridge the divide?

This partnership will do more than enhance personal communication; it will facilitate the delivery of new educational, healthcare and other services, thereby revitalizing rural communities by allowing people to live in their local communities to participate in the global electronic economy.

One of the agreements the Province and TELUS have signed is called the Connecting Communities Agreement. This agreement will:

• bring affordable high-speed open network access to 119 of the remaining 151 unconnected BC communities by December 31, 2006. Of the remaining 32 unserved communities, 29 will be connected by high-speed satellite, and 3 are being connected as part of the federal Broadband for Rural and Northern Development program.
• provide affordable access for unserved communities to open network access points in each community.
• provide support from the Province to connect the open network access service to a community Internet service provider location.
• provide a very cost effective "utility" pricing model in communities that are currently unserved to enable local Internet service providers to provide last-mile services at scalable cost per user per month.
• ensure pricing for high-speed open network access (10Mbps plus) in all provincial communities based on price for similar services in the Lower Mainland.

In addition, the Province will be working with two community-based organizations, the BC Community Connectivity Co-operative and the First Nations Technology Council, to provide a limited number of $20,000 grants to communities to aid them with last-mile costs. These funds will benefit early adopter communities that have projects ready to go now.

7. How long will it take to bridge the digital divide?

The agreement between Province and TELUS is that the digital divide will be bridged in the province’s 366 communities by the end of 2006.

8. When will my community have access to broadband Internet?

You can view the Schedule of Community Connections for a complete schedule of when communities will be connected.

9. How do small communities go about getting their communities connected?

Under the Connecting Communities Agreement, open network access will be brought to the communities; from there the community or an Internet service provider will have the opportunity to make the last-mile connection.

A community engagement strategy has been developed and provincial NetWork BC staff are available to work with TELUS and community champions to make sure that communities are ready to benefit from broadband when it arrives in their community.

10. How will bridging the digital divide change healthcare for people living in remote communities?

It is well known that the health outcomes for rural and remote citizens lag behind the rest of the population. The introduction of broadband can mean better access to information about healthcare, a better decision-making process for health management, and faster access to physicians, specialists and other health care providers.

11. What is Telehealth?

Telehealth is the use of technology to deliver health services over distance.

Telehealth has existed since the introduction of the telegraph, but new technology has expanded the possibilities for its use in medicine.

Exciting tools such as tele-radiology, tele-psychiatry and the medical use of video conferencing are only available if a broadband infrastructure is in place.

12. How will improved Internet links in schools help students with their learning?

Learners in rural communities often must travel outside their communities to seek education. Of particular concern is aboriginal students, because for those who have to leave their communities to finish high school, the graduation rate is near zero.

Making affordable broadband available in these communities provides the option for learners to stay in their communities to complete high school online or to take part in post secondary or mid-career education courses through the Internet.

With broadband access, students and educators in rural communities can access state-of-the-art electronic educational tools.

Through the technology of high-speed links, the teacher can lecture in one location, while using a two-way video conferencing system to connect with students elsewhere.

Having access to the full curriculum enriches the educational experience for students, and can better prepare them for a post-secondary education.

13. What benefit does having high-speed broadband Internet provide to rural or remote communities when they are suffering from a downturn in the resource economy?

High-speed broadband Internet offers new opportunities to small communities. It allows existing businesses to grow, expanding their market for products and services by taking advantage of the Internet reach.

Communities can also create or expand eco-tourism businesses, and are able to market their area's natural beauty worldwide through Internet sites which offer photos, video and sound.

There are many additional benefits to communities that have high-speed broadband Internet access:

• Improved access to health care.
• Improved access to education and online learning.
• Improved access to services from both the federal and provincial governments.