FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REMOTE AREAS OF BRACEBRIDGE, HUNTSVILLE AND GEORGIAN BAY BEGIN ENJOYING FASTER, MORE RELIABLE INTERNET CONNECTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME
MUSKOKA, Ontario ─ October 9, 2009 ─ Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that high speed internet has arrived for the first time in the remote areas of:
· Springdale Park, Bracebridge
· Minors Bay, Township of Georgian Bay
· South Bay, Township of Georgian Bay
· Brunel Road, Near Whitehouse Road, Huntsville
“Downloading and sending large documents took an incredible amount of time,” said Bill Cowan a resident of Whitehouse Road. “The arrival of high speed in my neighborhood has made everything much easier.”
MCN is working to bring broadband to approximately 15 more areas of Muskoka.
Service is presently 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.
Connected to Date
To date, Muskoka Community Network has successfully coordinated the arrival of high speed internet in 28 previously unserviced locations, including the first nation community of Moose Deer Point.
Within Bracebridge:
Clear Lake; Portions of Falkenburg Station; 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; Minors Bay; South Bay
Within Gravenhurst:
Barkaway; West Gravenhurst; Housey Rapids; Port Stanton; Ryde
Within Huntsville
Brunel Road – near Whitehouse road; 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 online.
Residents within these communities, or areas, who would like to determine if they are eligible for high speed wireless on this network, can contact a Core Broadband reseller. To find a Core Broadband reseller visit www.corebroadband.ca and click on ISP’S (internet service providers).
Residents can also find a complete list of ISP’s IN MUSKOKA by visiting http://www.mcnet.ca/servicedirectory/ISP/
Making the Most of High Speed
While the majority of people use high speed for e-mail and browsing the web, there are many more applications available.
To help Muskokans learn about these possibilities MCN provides classroom style workshops for businesses, organizations and individuals who want to grow their tech capacity. Topics include Planning Your Website, How to Profit from E-Business and Technology Management.
MCN also provides online training through its virtual training centre. There are over 450 titles to choose from, including word processing, accounting, spreadsheets and even graphic design. Subscribers including businesses, government and individual residents are currently learning in this environment. All you need is a high speed internet connection and a desire to learn. These online courses are FREE to Muskokans
Still on Dial Up?
Residents without high speed internet service are asked to let MCN know precisely where they are. Individuals can do so by dialing 705-646-9044, or by completing the “I Need Broadband” form located online at www.mcnet.ca.
For businesses unable to get high speed through existing means, MCN offers financial assistance to establish a satellite broadband connection. Through MCNs Satellite Internet Remote Areas (SIRA) program, qualifying businesses may receive up to 75 per cent of the supported costs of equipment and installation (up to $1000)
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, MCN 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
http://www.mcnet.ca
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
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