Bell insists throttling Internet services necessary

The Montreal Gazette reports that "Bell insists throttling Internet services necessary".

Bell's statement was made as a response to the Canadian Association of Internet Providers request to CRTC to have Bell cease and desist bandwidth shaping.

For more information visit:
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=3b50140e-610c-4245-a234-1ae04193a5f2&k=66930

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

Australia Ups the Broadband Bar

The Australians seem to be following a process similar to the Canadian one when it comes to public broadband development.

Recently, the Federal Government in Australia issued request for proposals from interested parties to supply broadband to 98% of Australia's premises.

However, the one notable difference is the speed requirement that the Australians are looking for. They are looking for 12Mbps connections. Currently these speeds are usually top end packages in Canada for residential and small businesses, but the Australians are setting higher speed as the new norm.

To remain competitive in the Global economy, Canada, and certainly Muskoka will need to work hard to pace this gap.

For more information visit:
http://whirlpool.net.au/article.cfm/1787

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

NUPGE asks CRTC to investigate TRAFFIC SHAPING"

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) asks CRTC to investigate Internet 'traffic shaping'

http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=82157&issue=03312008

http://www.nupge.ca/news_2008/n28ma08c.htm

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

BIG BUZZ on the Internet over BANDWIDTH SHAPING

It seems that Bell is moving forward with bandwidth shaping. Implementing this policy affects broadband service delivery for consumers, and now also affects many ISP's who purchase wholesale bandwidth from Bell. Effectively, Bell, is throttling bandwidth in a way that affects service delivery to their retail and wholesale (smaller ISP's) customers.

For Internet users, bandwidth shaping can be compared to buying water through a piped service, and if the company that provides that piped water doesn't like how much water you are using at a particular time, they turn your tap down to a trickle, or in this case they throttle your bandwidth and limit your speed.

Here are several stories that cover BANDWIDTH SHAPING and demonstrate how this is affecting certain consumers, content providers, and ISP's.

(For an explanation on BANDWIDTH SHAPING see our earlier blog entry at http://mcnblogger.blogspot.com/2007/12/content-and-bandwidth-shaping-free.html )

CBC reports that "ISP's LIMIT ACCESS TO CBC DOWNLOAD, USERS SAY".
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2008/03/26/bittorrent-cbc.html

Digitalhome.ca reports that "ISP's CRY FOUL OVER TRAFFIC SHAPING".
http://www.digitalhome.ca/content/view/2402/206/

The Globe and Mail reports that "BELL IRKS ISPS WITH NEW THROTTLING POLICY", http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080325.wgtinternet26/BNStory/Technology

The Globe and Mail also reports that "BELL TO PLAY TRAFFIC COP ON INTERNET BANDWIDTH".
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080326.RINTERNET26/TPStory/Business

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

Muskoka E-business Forum - March 26th, 2008

The Muskoka E-Business Forum 'E-Biz for Your Biz!'

The Muskoka E-Business Forum is a dynamic day long seminar on March 26th 2008 for Muskoka. Hosted by the Muskoka Enterprise Centre and Muskoka Community Network, the E-Biz Forum will explore the future and opportunities of E-Business and Web 2.0.

Learn how to turn E-Business into dollars for Your Business.

For more information click Here

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To Register Now, Click Here

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The E-Business Forum will feature Fascinating speakers including:
Keynote: Robert J. Sawyer
A renowned author and speaker, his non-fiction has appeared in Canadian Business, The Financial Times of Canada, The Globe & Mail, Maclean's and Report on Business Magazine. As both a business speaker and science fiction author, Robert will highlight the opportunities offered to busines by the growth of E-Business and Web 2.0. Robert specializes in making sense of technology and distilling the opportunities in plain english.

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Panelist: Kenneth Donald
Kenneth Donald is an accomplished business executive with extensive local, national and international experience in Information Technology and E-Business. Kenneth is a Muskoka resident and will explore with you the opportunities of E-Business for small businesses right here in Muskoka! Kenneth will then discuss Business Re-Engineering for E-Business and how it applies to businesses like yours!

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Panelist: Rob McPhee

Rob has been involved with business and technology for more than 20 years. Over his career Rob has provided technology solutions to meet business goals to a wide variety of clients including multi-national corporations, governments at all levels, and small and medium sized businesses.
For the Muskoka E-business forum, Rob will provide a practical approach with 5 online marketing strategies available to your organization.

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More coming soon! The Muskoka E-Business forum is an excellent opportunity to showcase your company's products and services. Showcase your company to a diverse array of Muskoka Businesses and Decision Makers.

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Sponsorship provided by:

For more information on Sponsoring or Exhibiting at this event please click here.

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View Larger Map


When:
Wednesday March 26th, 2008 8:45am

With Generous Support From:

The Muskoka E-Business Forum is a joint venture between Muskoka Community Network and Muskoka Enterprise Centre

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

Media Reports on Broadband

Various Muskoka publications including the Bracebridge Examiner, the Gravenhurst Banner, the Huntsville Forester, and Muskoka Today have been running stories related to broadband projects in the Muskoka area.

To find the articles that have appeared in the Bracebridge Examiner and the Gravenhurst Banner follow this link:
http://www.muskoka-news.com/searchResults?t=&r=category%3A%22Muskoka%22&q=broadband

To find articles that have appeared in the Huntsville Forester follow this link: http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/searchResults?t=&r=category%3A%22Forester%22&q=broadband

To find articles that have appeared in Muskoka Today follow this link:
http://www.muskokatoday.com/

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

E-learning online

Today, there are many excellent resources available to assist your organization in providing a great web prescense.

Muskoka Community Network provides online learning through our Technology Learning Centre. Here you can logon and get online training access to over 400 titles. These titles include office software, computer operating systems, accounting applications, and web development. For more infomation please contact Muskoka Community Network.

Another great resources is Tourism Keys which can be found at http://www.tourismkeys.ca/. Tourism Keys provides excellent online training videos for those who want to learn how to create new business opportunities in tourism with Internet marketing.

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

HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARRIVES IN SEVERAL MUSKOKA-BASED TOWNS

HIGH SPEED (BROADBAND) INTERNET ARRIVES IN SEVERAL MUSKOKA-BASED TOWNS
Unserved Rural Residents and Businesses Anticipated to Benefit from New Service

BRACEBRIDGE – January 14th, 2008 - Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is
pleased to announce that high speed internet (broadband) has arrived for the first time ever in the following areas:

Within the town of Gravenhurst
• West Gravenhurst

Within the town of Bracebridge
• Portions of Springdale Park
• Portions of Falkenburg Station, and
• Stephenson Road 1 near Highway 11

Within the township of Georgian Bay
• Expanded high speed internet has been delivered south and west of the town of Mactier.

Service is expected to arrive within the town of Huntsville the first quarter of 2008 and
within the township of Lake of Bays the third quarter of 2008.

“For the past two years, Muskoka Community Network has been working hard to bring
high speed internet to the 12,000 Muskoka-based businesses and residents operating
without it,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, Muskoka Community Network.

“Thanks to substantial funding from FedNor ─ and the efforts of Core Broadband in
building the necessary infrastructure ─ our plans are coming to fruition.”
The newly established wireless broadband coverage is expected to reach 80 per cent of
the unserved population in the areas noted above. These areas are the first to receive high
speed under this project. Coverage will continue to improve as more towers come online.

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 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.

In 2007, Muskoka Community Network secured $1.7 million from FedNor towards the
development of an infrastructure to deliver broadband to unserved areas; and through an
open bidding process retained Core Broadband to begin building the necessary
infrastructure early last year.

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

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

Another ISP reseller joins the Open Access Network!

ANOTHER ISP RESELLER JOINS THE OPEN ACCESS NETWORK!
Click Here to find the areas which are now being served by the company Core Broadband , which MCN has contracted to build the open access network in Muskoka. The service area is continually expanding so please check back often. Now two resellers, Vianet and Surenet, have joined this open access network to provide expanded coverage to Muskoka. Contact information for these ISP's is listed on the ISP reseller section of Core Broadband's website.

If you cannot get broadband (high speed) coverage under Core Broadband's network you may be able to get coverage from other ISP's in Muskoka. Click Here for a comprehensive list of ISP's operating in our area.

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

Municipality Turns to E-Business

According to the Bracebridge Examiner, Muskoka Lakes Township has recently adopted a new form of e-business to serve residents called BizPal.
http://www.bracebridgeexaminer.com/muskokanews/article/59489

The BizPal service allows businesses to receive documents and permits electronically via broadband. This is an excellent example of how municipalities (or really any organization) can embrace e-business to serve their population.

For more information visit the Township website at http://www.muskokalakes.ca/

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

Broadband Improves Education Opportunities

As you probably know, Muskoka has a large rural area which has many areas and communities which are unserved by broadband.

I was recently speaking with a high school teacher in Muskoka who teaches technology related curriculum to his students. He was explaining how his students are "HAVE" and "HAVE NOT" students. What he meant was the "BROADBAND HAVES", and the "BROADBAND HAVE NOTS".

He went on to explain how the HAVES have better access to research material for school projects. Additionally, he explained how the HAVES socialize with their peers online in a way that the HAVE NOTS are not able to.

Now consider the post secondary education scene. Recently the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is offering free courses online. This is attracting over 1,000,000 (1 million) broadband users a month, including users from as far away as Istanbul (Turkey). So it is really very easy to see how access to broadband means access to education and training. For more information see http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/12/31/mit.html

In Muskoka we want students of all ages to have access to the resources and materials that will empower the upcoming generation. Good access to broadband will play a vital role in that empowerment.
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For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network at our website at http://www.mcnet.ca

December 2007 Issue - MCN Newsletter - The Packet

Hello from Muskoka Community Network(MCN):

The December 2007 issue of Muskoka Community Network's newletter The Packet is now available online. http://www.mcnet.ca/Docs/packet/12152007.pdf

In this issue:

• Broadband Update
• Tourism Keys III
• Content and Bandwith Shaping
• What does RSS do for me?

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at
www.mcnet.ca

Town of Hunstville Engages New Blog Technology

It is exciting to see the Town of Huntsville engage Blog technology to gain input for their master plan.

The Town is soliciting input from the public in consideration of the Huntsville master plan.
See http://huntsvilleplan.blogspot.com/

This is a great example of using Web 2.0 technology to meet organizational goals.

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at
www.mcnet.ca

Wireless Broadband Service Expands in Muskoka

Core Broadband, the wholesale network provider contracted by Muskoka Community Network, is continuing to expand wireless broadband service accross Muskoka.

More information about this service and how to access it can be found at:
http://www.corebroadband.ca/
http://www.corebroadband.ca/Towers.html

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at
www.mcnet.ca

Content and Bandwidth Shaping - Free Market Vs. Free Speech

The late great Canadian media expert Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase the "The Medium is the Message". While there are many interpretations of McLuhan's phrase, he seems to indicate we become acustomed to things over time that we once found to be on the edge.

Welcome the Internet. The Internet is constantly changing right before our eyes in ways that are sometimes obvious and sometimes more subtle.

Two examples are content and bandwidth shaping. What are these two Internet phenomena?

Bandwidth shaping is a way that some Internet Service Providers (ISP's) manage the bandwidth use of their customers. Automated tools allow an ISP to monitor how their clients use the Internet. If the client "hogs" bandwidth through file sharing applications or other methods that allows the client to take up more than their fair share of bandwidth, the ISP shifts some of the services provided to that client into the equivalent of an Internet slow lane.

ISP's argue that this is required to maintain overall network performance and control their costs. Consumers argue that they aren't getting the bandwidth they pay for. Both have a point.

Content shaping is a different thing all together. Content shaping is a method where companies that provide information content on the Internet shape the content that is delivered to a user based on certain criteria. This technology allows a content provider to target specific information directly to you based on some demographic or even perhaps your individual information. Two companies that are current doing this are Google (see http://www.freepress.net/news/25705) and Rogers (see http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/284761).

Content shaping is a hotly debated topic and it will be a delicate issue for all parties including the public, ISP's, content providers, politicians, and governments.

Here is an example: A person (lets call him Bob) has medical condition X, and a big pharmacuetical company (lets call them Big Pharma) has a medical treatment for condition X. It would be reasonable to assume that Big Pharma will pay big bucks to shape content for their product to Bob. So if Bob is searching for information on medical condition X he may only find content targeted to him through content shaping. Bob may not easily find information on the causes or cures of condition X.

In short, organizations with deep pockets will have the resources to shape content and organizations that don't will have a hard time getting their message heard on the internet.

Imagine a person with a drinking problem searching for help, only to be targeted with beer adverstiments. Content shaping makes this possible.

So the question is this: Is content shaping simply good target marketing, or is it an impediment to freedom of information?

One point of view is that content shaping is good for business, while the other point of view is that this will entirely commercialize the Internet thereby destroying the egalitarian premise and functions which the Internet was founded upon. One of the original premises of the Internet was that universal access to information is an equalizing force. Will content shaping change that equalizing force? In my opinion, content shaping will have a significant influence, but commercialiation won't totally dominate.

Simply think of television broadcasting. If the commercial content is ridiculously out of proporation then users will tune out.

I speculate that the next evolution of the Internet is "Internet Channels" where companies shape content based on what users want and give them the straight goods as well. This would be much like the Golf Channel, The Shopping Channel, or the Home and Garden Channel is to broadcast television.

As far as the Internet goes, we will still have to wait and see what effect bandwidth and content shaping has for the masses.

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at
www.mcnet.ca

Nova Scotia Invests $74 Million in Rural Broadband

Nova Scotia is committing $74 million to bring broadband to rural areas.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/996340.html

This project is a result of contributions from The Federal Government, The Province, Bragg Communications and Seaside Communications.

For more information on this story please visit:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/996340.html


Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website:
www.mcnet.ca

New Internet Tools Tax Internet Backbone Infrastructure

The Washington post reports that Internet users are embracing video, file sharing and music downloads at an astonishing rate, and all this information flows over the information highway.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/24/AR2007112400807.html

The question is can the digital highway handle the added traffic?

A new study indicates that in it's current state the Internet backbone will have trouble keeping up with this continually increasing flow of digital traffic.

The "side roads" of the internet continue to grow, and all that traffic flows back to the major arteries. It is these major arteries that are bulging and will need significant upgrades to keep pace with the growth of traffic.

Improved local routing, caching, and improving technology infrastructure will all play a part in ensuring that broadband keeps the internet thriving.

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at http://www.mcnet.ca

GRAVENHURST TO RECEIVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET SOONER THAN EXPECTED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


GRAVENHURST TO RECEIVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET
SOONER THAN EXPECTED

Local Firefighters and Public Works Gain Improved Radio Coverage in the Process


BRACEBRIDGE – December 3, 2007 - Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that by working together with the Town of Gravenhurst, many residents and businesses of Gravenhurst will have access to high speed internet 1.5 years sooner than originally planned. It is now anticipated that Gravenhurst will have access to high speed the first quarter of 2008 (formerly late 2009).

Collaboration with the Town has also brought about a solution to two of Gravenhurst’s more pressing communications challenges ─ insufficient two-way radio coverage for both firefighters and the Town’s Public Works department.

“In conversation with Muskoka Community Network we were able to arrange for our new radio equipment to be fixed atop the new broadband towers.” said Bob Colhoun, Deputy Mayor, Gravenhurst.

There will now be upgraded two-way radio coverage for Gravenhurst’s firefighters, improving both public and firefighter safety. There will also be an improvement in two-way radio coverage for the Town’s Public Works department, improving overall efficiency of the department.

“This is truly a win win for the Town of Gravenhurst,” added Colhoun. “Not only will we receive the highly anticipated high speed access sooner, we have saved the Town a large sum of money by optimizing Muskoka Commuity Network’s publicly (FedNor) funded project.”

"This is excellent news for families and businesses in Gravenhurst and I'm proud that our government was able to provide funding to help get this done," said Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor and MP for Parry Sound - Muskoka. "Our partnership with MCN and the Town of Gravenhurst is one more example of how important FedNor investment is to Muskoka and Parry Sound."

“Muskoka Community Network is committed to making the most of the public funding afforded by FedNor,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, Muskoka Community Network. “We would be more than happy to work with other towns and townships to explore common goals if opportunity exists.”

(more)
Gravenhurst to Receive / Page 2 of 2


On Bringing High Speed to Muskoka

It is estimated that 12,000 Muskoka-based businesses and residents are currently without access to high speed internet.

“In today’s competitive marketplace, access to high speed internet is a necessary advantage,” said Rob McPhee. “Not only does it benefit business, but residential consumers as well, who are continually in search of better and faster service.”

For the past two years, Muskoka Community Network has been working to bring high speed internet to the unserved businesses and residents of Muskoka and Almaguin.

To date, Muskoka Community Network has performed a gap analysis to determine who is currently without access; has secured substantial funds from FedNor ($1.7 million) towards the development of an infrastructure to deliver broadband to unserved areas; and through an open bidding process retained Core Broadband to begin building the necessary infrastructure earlier this year.

Under this project, wireless broadband coverage is expected to reach 80 per cent of Gravenhurst’s unserved population, including Kilworthy, Kahshe, Houseys Rapids and Barkway. Approximately 20 per cent of the population may not be able to receive service due to terrain or low elevation issues.

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.

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.

-30-

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

Rob McPhee
Muskoka Community Network
705-646-9044

Alison Withey
Blue Whale Communications Inc.
705-788-0080

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at http://www.mcnet.ca

Google - Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal Project

CanWest News Service is reporting that Google the Internet search engine giant, has announced that they are going to pursue the development of renewable energy.

Google's goal is to create 1 gigawatt of renewable energy, and they expect to do it a cost that is lower than current production via coal burning methods.

Google has indicated that they intend to do this in the next few years, which is contrary to the traditional hydro industry change of pace which often takes decades.

Many large companies are learning that going 'green' is good business, and some companies such as Google may just be paving the way.

This technology news is brought to you by Muskoka Community Network. For more information please visit the host link at CanWest News Service.

Visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at http://www.mcnet.ca

Spectrum Licenses for Advanced Wireless Services

On November 28th Industry Canada - Spectrum Management and Telecommunications announced their "Policy Framework for the Auction of Spectrum Licences for Advanced Wireless Services and Other Spectrum in the 2 GHz Range"

More information can be found on this topic at the Industry Canada Website at:
www.ic.gc.ca/spectrumauctions

Keep up to date on technolgy in Muskoka by receiving MCN's RSS feed.
Get more information here: http://www.mcnet.ca/mediacentre/RSS/

Or visit Muskoka Community Network at our website at http://www.mcnet.ca