MUSKOKA COMMUNITY NETWORK ANNOUNCES
ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED IN THREE ADDITIONAL AREAS OF
HUNTSVILLE AND LAKE OF BAYS
May 3, 2010 ─ Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that access to high speed internet has arrived for the residents and businesses of Tackaberry and Menominee/Tooke Lakes in Lake of Bays, as well as Mary Lake North (Lynx Lake Road) in Huntsville. An existing tower in Kilworthy has also received upgrades to expand the service to new users.
“Every day this network is expanding,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, Muskoka Community Network. “Since 2006, over 2000 people crossing 33 areas of Muskoka have begun enjoying faster more reliable connections.”
“This leads us to believe that overall access to high speed internet has exceeded the 80 per cent mark ─ thanks to the efforts of Muskoka Community Network and a variety of Internet Service Providers,” added McPhee.
"High speed internet access is more than just convenience and faster speeds," said Jim Bunnell and Susan Craig, residents on Menominee Lake. "It became a necessity in order to operate the software required for our home office because dial-up could not meet the minimum standard required.”
“High speed wireless has opened new possibilities for us that did not exist on dial-up,” added Bunnell and Craig. “Finally, living in Muskoka no longer means being left behind."
Muskoka Community Network is working on 11 more towers and access continues to expand in the Townships of Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay, as well as the Towns of Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. For more information, please visit http://www.mcnet.ca/projects/broadsched/
READY TO SURF?
In addition to bringing high speed internet to Muskoka, Muskoka Community Network is committed to providing the training necessary to use high speed internet to its maximum potential.
Muskoka Community Network provides classroom style workshops for businesses, organizations and individuals who want to increase their tech knowledge. Topics include Planning Your Website, How to Profit from E-Business and Technology Management.
Muskoka Community Network 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 online 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 access are asked to let Muskoka Community Network 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 http://www.mcnet.ca/.
For businesses unable to get high speed through existing means, Muskoka Community Network offers financial assistance to establish a satellite broadband connection. Through Muskoka Community Network`s 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, Muskoka Community Network has secured 2.5 million dollars in public funding from FedNor and has facilitated approximately 1.5 million additional dollars of technology investment in Muskoka. 1.7 million dollars was secured for broadband (high speed) 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 bringing high speed internet to Muskoka. MCN is also committed to providing the training necessary to use high speed internet to its maximum potential.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Rob McPhee
Muskoka Community Network
705-646-9044
rob.mcphee@mcnet.ca
Alison Withey
Blue Whale Communications Inc.
705-783-4218 (mobile)
alison@bluewhalecommunications.com
