More Broadband in Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Georgian Bay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARRIVES IN FOUR ADDITIONAL REMOTE AREAS OF GRAVENHURST, HUNTSVILLE, LAKE OF BAYS AND GEORGIAN BAY

MUSKOKA, Ontario ─ April 23rd, 2009 ─ Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that high speed internet has arrived for the first time ever in the remote areas of:

· Baxter, Township of Georgian Bay
· Port Stanton, Gravenhurst
· Lake Waseosa, Huntsville
· Hillside, Township of Lake of Bays

“I had the new service installed earlier this month and it is wonderful to be off dial up internet. It’s reliable and it’s fast.” said Joe McRobb, beneficiary of the newly established broadband tower in Port Stanton, Gravenhurst.

Additional service is being expanded in the Townships of Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay, as well as the Towns of Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. Please check http://www.mcnet.ca/projects/broadsched/ for more information.

To date, Muskoka Community Network has successfully coordinated the arrival of high speed internet in 25 previously unserviced locations, including the first nation community of Moose Deer Point.

Within Bracebridge:
Clear Lake
Portions of Falkenburg Station
Portions of Springdale Park
Stephenson Road 1 near Highway 11
Outlying areas of Taylor Road

Within the Township of Georgian Bay:
Baxter
South of the town of Mactier
West of the town of Mactier

Within Gravenhurst:
Barkaway
West Gravenhurst
Housey Rapids
Port Stanton
Ryde

Within Huntsville
Clearwater Lake Road (Port Sydney)
Deer Lake Road (North)
Lake Waseosa
Lancelot
Madill Church – just south of Huntsville

Within Lake of Bays:
Bella Lake
Blue Lake
Parts of Camp Lake
Hillside
Tasso Lake
Toad Lake

Within First Nations Communities:
Moose Deer Point


This newly established wireless broadband coverage is expected to reach 80 per cent of the unserved population within these areas. Coverage will continue to improve as more towers come on-line. For those unable to access high speed wireless service, satellite high speed may be available.

IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT in these communities, or areas, and would like to determine if you are eligible for high speed wireless on this network, contact a Core Broadband reseller. To find a Core Broadband reseller visit http://www.corebroadband.ca/ and click on ISP’S (internet service providers).

You can also find a complete list of ISP’s IN MUSKOKA by visiting http://www.mcnet.ca/servicedirectory/ISP/


About FedNor

FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

To date, Muskoka Community Network has secured 2.5 million dollars in public funding from FedNor. 1.7 million dollars was secured for broadband alone. Additional funding has been allocated towards improving online communications for our communities, and providing training on how best to leverage online opportunities.

About Muskoka Community Network

Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the implementation of telecommunications solutions for the regions of Muskoka and Almaguin, by working with and forming partnerships with both the public and private sectors.


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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Rob McPhee
Muskoka Community Network
705-646-9044
rob.mcphee@mcnet.ca

or

Alison Withey
Blue Whale Communications Inc.
705-788-0080
alison@bluewhalecommunications.com

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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at
www.mcnet.ca