FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MCN COMPLETES BROADBAND BUILD PROJECT
MUSKOKA, Ontario ─ January 31, 2011 ─ Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is pleased to announce that it has completed its broadband build project.
“The addition of 12 final new towers leads us to believe that overall access to high speed internet in Muskoka has reached 85 per cent,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, Muskoka Community Network. “This represents an incredible jump from the 12 per cent coverage rate recorded in 2006 – and rests in excess of the 80 per cent coverage rate Muskoka Community Network had been mandated to achieve.”
“While our budget and plans called for a total of 42 internet points of presence, we have built 65,” added McPhee, “That’s 23 towers above plan, and we’ve done it with no cost overruns and within budget.”
“On behalf of the Harper Government I would like to congratulate Muskoka Community Network on the completion of this important project,” said the Honourable Tony Clement, Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “We are pleased to support MCN through FedNor as they work to improve broadband access and connect communities throughout the Muskoka region.”
“I am thrilled to have access to high-speed at home both personally and professionally," said Kelly Haywood, Executive Director, Huntsville / Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce and Rebecca Lake resident. "There are so many reasons I wanted better than dial-up service. High speed enables me to work during snow storms and in the evenings from home, and I’m particularly excited that I can now learn to play the mandolin using YouTube! The service has been excellent.”
FINAL TOWERS
The final 12 towers expand access to high speed within the Townships of Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay , as well as the Towns of Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge.
· Within Bracebridge - Fraserburg (Crockford Road Chrysler Road
· Within Georgian Bay - Muskoka Mills, Lone Pine Road
· Within Gravenhurst - Gravenhurst North Water Tower and Gravenhurst South Water Tower
· Within Huntsville - Williamsport
· Within Lake of Bays - Rebecca Lake , Dickie Lake and Camp Lake
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MCN COMPLETES BROADBAND BUILD / PAGE 2 OF 3
Businesses and residents have a choice of 6 internet service providers who can provide them with access to this network. If you would like to know if you can be connected to high speed internet through this network please visit http://www.corebroadband.ca/index-2.html to directly contact an ISP, or contact Muskoka Community Network at 705-646-9044.
TRAINING AVAILABLE
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 Virtual and Mobile Computing, Planning your Website, How to Profit from E-Business, and Technology Management. For more information visit www.mcnet.ca and look for E-Learning – Technology Learning Series.
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, graphic design and recently added virtual computing. 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.
BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
The Business and Technology Centre of Excellence is a venue open to those in need of technology to host meetings, workshops or training sessions. Located at 440 Ecclestone Drive in Bracebridge, the Centre is equipped with a large projection screen, 2-40 inch display screens and 8 desks with “hook-up technology” enabling individuals to display to one or all of the screens. To request the centre, please visit www.mcnet.ca/btce
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.
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MCN COMPLETES BROADBAND BUILD / PAGE 3 OF 3
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 established in 2000. On December 31, 2010, MCN exceeded its prime mandate to bring high speed internet to 80 per cent of the un-serviced population within Muskoka. Today, MCN provides the training necessary to use high speed internet to its maximum potential. If you are interested in training opportunities, or to book the Business and Technology Centre of Excellence for your next meeting, visit www.mcnet.ca
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Rob McPhee
Muskoka Community Network
705-646-9044
Alison Withey
Blue Whale Communications Inc.
705-783-4218 (mobile)
For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at www.mcnet.ca
