Proposals sought for improved Internet service
Investing in infrastructure -
Improved Island-wide Internet services will provide faster and better access across Prince Edward Island.
The provincial government has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for companies to make those enhancements. The objective is to improve Internet service to over 30,000 underserved civic addresses across the province by meeting or exceeding by 2021 the CRTC objective of download speeds of 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of 10 Mbps.
“We’ve worked very closely with Internet services providers, consultants, rural businesses and residents to ensure we are taking the best possible approach,” Economic Development and Tourism Minister Chris Palmer said. ”We are confident rural Islanders will start seeing better options for Internet in the very near future.”
Devin Coffin is one of thousands of rural business owners and residents who will benefit from the improved Island-wide Internet services that will be coming soon. Coffin – who owns Crescent Isle Cottages in Grand Tracadie – says better Internet will allow his guests to have faster service on site and will help him improve his marketing and promotion efforts.
“Customers have come to expect free wireless internet when they rent a short-term accommodation like mine, and that’s not a reliable service I can offer at the moment,” he said. “I’m very pleased to see government moving ahead with these plans and I look forward to having better options for my business and my customers.”
A major effort to improve Internet service across Prince Edward Island was announced in the provincial government’s most recent capital budget.
Government will evaluate all proposals and the contract will be awarded to one or multiple bidders who will have the capabilities to achieve the objective government has set out. Combining diverse providers and technologies for an overall solution will help better address underserved Islanders and visitors of the Island, particularly those in rural parts of the province.
Submissions to the province will be accepted until October 12, 2018. www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/tenders
Media contact:
Andrew Sprague
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca