From education to health care, to agriculture and small business, connectivity will help communities throughout Alberta fuel economic growth, enhance educational opportunities and improve access to health care. To ensure Albertans have access to the connectivity they need, Alberta’s government launched its Alberta Broadband Strategy in 2021, including a commitment of $390 million to expand connectivity to rural, remote and Indigenous communities. That funding commitment was matched dollar-for-dollar by the federal government.
This joint commitment from both provincial and federal governments has resulted in another project that will help more than 4,300 homes in Strathcona County and surrounding areas connect to high-speed internet.
“High-speed internet is the backbone of our communities, economies and daily lives. This investment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to bridge the digital divide. By connecting every corner of our province, we’re empowering Albertans to thrive, whether it’s through education, business, healthcare, or simply staying connected with loved ones.”
This broadband project from Switch Inc. means the communities of Ardrossan, Armena, Bruce, Collingwood Cove, Cooking Lake, Half Moon Estates, Holden, Kingman, Sherwood Park and Tofield will have improved access to high-speed internet. All of these communities are found within Strathcona and Beaver counties.
Improved connectivity has numerous positive benefits for families and communities including growing GDP, creating jobs and improving access to telehealth services as well as educational opportunities.
“Strathcona County has actively advocated for reliable internet in our county. Dependable internet connectivity is crucial for living, working and playing in the modern world. Hundreds of rural households and numerous businesses and industries around Cooking Lake and Collingwood Cove will benefit from this upgrade. We are grateful for our partnership with the provincial and federal governments, as well as Switch Inc. Strathcona County will continue to emphasize the importance of broadband infrastructure for our community."
"As we celebrate 20 years of connecting remote communities, we are proud to expand our AirFiber network to more than 9,000 underserved homes in Alberta. This achievement reflects our commitment to innovation and community support. Together, we are not just providing internet; we are empowering lives and bridging the digital divide.”
In 2021, about 489,000 Albertans living in 201,000 households lacked access to federal target speeds. There are 62 projects supported by the federal Universal Broadband Fund underway in Alberta, bringing connectivity to more than 51,000 households across 328 communities. Alberta’s government continues to work to get more projects approved by the federal government so more households and communities have access to better connectivity.
Quick facts
- Within three years of achieving universal coverage and adoption of services, the Alberta Broadband Strategy is anticipated to realize:
- Up to $1.7 billion in annual GDP growth.
- Up to five per cent GDP growth in the agricultural sector resulting from adoption of agricultural technologies.
- Up to 2,000 long-term service industry jobs created in rural communities.
- Improved access to telehealth at reduced costs for up to 40,000 Albertans without current access to a primary health care provider.
- Improved access to remote education for more than 120,000 students.