A study of rural broadband coverage throughout the province is beginning. This is in follow-up to the Rural Connectivity Gap Analysis conducted over the summer and fall of 2009.

The original data was a snapshot-in-time of the access Albertans have to broadband Internet services. This analysis is a content update of maps, and is intended to give a status report. Working under a steering committee—including the AAMDC, AUMA, Service Alberta and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development—ViTel Consulting will be conducting the study.

Over the coming weeks and months, ViTel will be contacting your municipality to gather information. This includes tower development permits that you may have within your county and other information you may have regarding Internet Service Providers in your area. The project is under tight timelines: your cooperation in working with ViTel will lead to a stronger end product. The AAMDC encourages your assistance.

This analysis will pave the way for policy decisions on how to effectively fill in the gaps that do not have access to rural Internet. Maps will be made available to AAMDC members in order for you to be aware of the levels of coverage throughout your municipality.

The AAMDC thanks the Government of Alberta for the funding to make this project a reality.

Further enquiries may be directed to: