After two years of endless Zoom calls and relying on virtual ways of connection, Creston Valley residents now have access to reliable high-speed internet.
Announced June 1, internet service providers can now offer residents access to broadband speeds of 50 megabits per-second (Mbps) for downloads and 10 Mbps for uploads.
“The past two years have highlighted how reliable high-speed internet service is critical to access services including work, school, health care and community events,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston.
The upgrade is part of a provincial goal to make high-speed internet available to all households in B.C. by 2027. The Connecting British Columbia program currently includes 164 approved projects.
This particular upgrade in the Kootenay town cost an estimated $1.7 million, predominantly funded by the federal and provincial governments. The regional districts of East Kootenay and Central Kootenay provided a combined total of about $105,000, and Swift Internet Inc. contributed $315,000.
Kitt Santano, president of Swift Internet Inc., stated the company’s investment is a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We felt a responsibility to invest in upgrading our network,” said Santano.
“Federal, provincial and local government programs all contributed to bringing reliable, affordable high-speed internet to close to 1,500 underserved households. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Other nearby communities to receive high-speed internet include West Creston, the East Shore, Yahk, Glenlily, Huscroft, Kingsgate, Kitchener, Kuskonook, Moyie, Sanca, and West Creston.
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