Broadband internet coming to First Nations communities through government deal

The province has signed a deal with an internet provider to bring internet services to nearly 30 First Nations and more than 350 rural and northern Manitoba communities.

In May, the provincial government and Xplornet Communications had a memorandum of understanding established to connect Manitobans in remote communities through reliable broadband.

Now, an agreement is in place.

“The pandemic has shown us that staying connected and having access to important and timely information is a necessity,” said Reg Helwer, Manitoba’s central services minister.

“Over 125,000 rural, remote and northern Manitoba homes will have newer improved modern broadband services for future technologies in the next generations.”

Xplornet says they will be working with First Nation communities throughout the whole construction process, which the company says is well underway.

“This is going to take a little bit of time… working with province and Hydro to light up the backbone across the province,” said Bill Macdonald, executive vice-president of Xplornet. “It will take two and a bit years to get things operational. We are starting already with some of our wireless deployments and then building into it with our backbone network.”

Chemawawin Cree Nation Chief Clarence Easter says this announcement has been a long time coming.

“Progress can only be achieved by building relationships and this project is a good example of that,” said Chief Easter.

With COVID-19 shutting most in-person events, many have turned to devices such as Zoom and FaceTime to connect to others.

But Pinaymootang First Nation Chief Kurvis Anderson says it’s not as easy as clicking a button when there is poor internet.

“The quality of internet that we have here right now makes it difficult to have a proper discussion on important issues like with COVID. It’s frustrating,” said Anderson.

Christopher Harper, a cultural coordinator in Peguis First Nation, says he has seen a lot of hardship when travelling to northern Manitoba communities. He says bringing in high-speed internet will help the youth in those communities feel included rather than isolated.

“I see this as helping them at least alleviate some of the mental stress that comes from the world lately especially with COVID and being cooped up at home,” said Harper. “You can’t do anything, see anyone, the least you could do is have something a little better so you could keep up in the world.”

Construction of the lines is underway, and service is expected to be fully operational in about two years.