COMMUNICATIONS IN NORTH KAWARTHA
By Jeff Sayers
Ever tried to plough thru the bureaucratic red tape that comes
along with any government related endeavour? Well as you may know
it simply doesn't work anywhere near as efficiently as you hope
and expect, and we've all experienced this first hand with the ongoing
attempts to get Apsley and North Kawartha connected to the world
of high speed internet.
Installing high speed internet is quite an expensive procedure,
and unfortunately there isn't an internet service provider in existence
who is willing to bear the costs on their own - it simply wouldn't
be profitable. So in order to get the high speed lines connected
we need the project to be government subsidized, and that task is
as easy as pinning a medal on the world's angriest bull.
While a basic need for broadband internet was shown with a few businesses
- such as N.H. Wilson Building Supplies and associate broker Ambrose
Moran (Re-Max) - purchasing equipment for high speed radio internet
worth over $1000, more interest was needed in order to |
convince those involved in the financial aspect. The
County of Peterborough successfully conducted a survey in September
that showed an interest in broadband internet from a minimum of 30
businesses in the area. This survey is for use in-part to convince
a high speed internet provider to install the required equipment with
the assistance of government funding. Unofficially, Apsley could see
broadband internet within the year but it would only be within a certain
distance of town - residences a distance from the center of town would
likely not be connected until a later date. According to Shannon Hunter,
North Kawartha C.A.O., the goal is for all residents in the township
of North Kawartha to eventually have access to high speed internet,
not just those who are close to Apsley.
With broadband internet in Apsley, we would likely see an increase
in the technology in our area. The local population would expand as
people who own and operate internet businesses would finally be able
to move to the area, and we would see an economic increase as spending
would increase in the area, being beneficial to everyone. |
This boost in technology seems to already
be starting, even before high speed internet has become a reality.
New informative web sites have started becoming more popular. A modern,
up-to-date community web site (www.apsley.ca) loaded with useful information
for locals, seasonal residents and visitors has been created. As well,
several businesses have obtained a new (or revamped an old) web site,
including Wellington Street's e-store (www.wellingtonstreet.com),
currently in development, which will be Apsley's first major retail
business to open an online store where you can browse for and purchase
products over the net. New technology-based businesses like Apsley
Multimedia have opened their doors providing web site design and hosting
services, email, and other digital media design. Along with this,
the Apsley Voice is upgrading their technology as well. You will be
able to find a business directory with direct links to the businesses'
web site at the Apsley Voice web site (www.apsleyvoice.com) in the
near future.
So keep your fingers crossed, and support bringing broadband internet
to Apsley however you can. Every vote will make a difference.
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