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Minister of Service Alberta Nate Glubish with Premier Jason Kenney at the province's announcement on Wednesday, March 2 2022. (Government of Alberta)

Province investing $390 million into broadband internet strategy

Mar 2, 2022 | 5:16 PM

INNISFAIL, AB – The Government of Alberta has made a significant announcement regarding broadband internet access in rural communities.

As part of Budget 2022, the province will invest a total of $390 million over four years to implement the Alberta Broadband Strategy. It’s a plan to ensure that every family, household, business and community in the province can access reliable, high-speed internet, and will focus on eliminating “the digital divide” in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Premier Jason Kenney said, “improving access to high-speed broadband will help the province move forward toward a technology and innovation-focused future where every Albertan can participate in and benefit from Alberta’s recovery and economic diversification.”

“Right now, too many Alberta families and households, businesses and public institutions do not have access to adequate high-speed internet.”

Kenney said the Alberta Broadband Strategy aims to get the province “close to 100 per cent high-speed internet broadband coverage for people all across the province, including rural, remote and Indigenous communities.”

The Premier commented that the province is pursuing a “smart strategy” to leverage its investment in order to get more federal funding into broadband internet service in Alberta.

Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta said, “from education to health care and from agriculture to small business, connectivity will help Albertans interact with the global marketplace, innovate for local solutions and help diversify the economy.”

The province’s announcement can be viewed below.

More information on the Alberta Broadband Strategy is available through the province’s website.