New towers expand rural Internet options

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This article was published 01/06/2017 (2909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With the construction of new wireless broadband Internet towers in Vita, Woodridge, Sprague, Menisino, and Marchand, residents in and around those communities have a new option in their search for reliable signals and reasonable download speeds.

All five fixed microwave wireless Internet towers are fully operational, with a sixth northwest of Steinbach to go live by late June, said Robbie Zetariuk, executive director of sales and marketing for NetSet Communications, the Brandon-based company behind the new infrastructure.

Siting and construction costs for the 250-foot towers was completed by NetSet at a cost of $4 million.

“They’re definitely living up to their commitment,” said Stuartburn reeve Jim Swidersky, adding Internet service for outlying residents has “vastly improved” as a result of the Vita tower, located one mile west of town.

“When an improved technology comes to all people, it’s a huge benefit,” he said.

Residents, business owners, and educators will appreciate the improved service, Swidersky observed, adding outlying residents were previously forced to rely on dial-up Internet service.

Piney reeve Wayne Anderson said the municipality’s three new towers are welcome additions.

“We’re very happy. Right from day one we’ve supported them,” said Anderson. “I know the price is fairly good and the speed is very fast, so a lot of people will take advantage of it.”

NetSet’s goal, in keeping with the federal government’s vision, is to provide minimum speeds of five to six megabits per second for downloads, and one Mbps for uploads, Zetariuk said.

Each tower has a signal radius of 30 kilometres, and was constructed on private property following the signing of easements, though municipal assistance was considered in some situations, explained Zetariuk.

“We had offered them some RM property for the tower in Woodridge, but it wasn’t suitable,” said Anderson.

Ideal tower sites needs to be elevated and near hydro connections, Zetariuk explained, which facilitates signal strength and maintenance access.

In 2015, NetSet was awarded a federal government contract to build 16 towers in Provencher by 2017. While NetSet had previously wanted to finish the towers by April 2017, Zetariuk said a slight delay emerged in early 2016, when Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s renewal came with a reduction in scope.

“$3.8 million got left off the table,” Zetariuk said, speculating complaints over a perceived unfair competitive advantage voiced by smaller local Internet service providers were a factor.

As a result, only five of the planned 16 towers were constructed with federal assistance.

Hurdles aside, Anderson was simply glad to see rural Internet service improving.

“They’ve assured us that they will make sure all the spots are covered, one way or another,” he said.

However, he stressed improvements in Internet service address only one of three communications problems facing rural municipalities.

“What we really need in the RM of Piney is cell service,” he said—a related problem but one requiring separate infrastructure.

The province’s aging FleetNet radio network, relied on by emergency services personnel, is also in need of an upgrade. On May 5, the provincial government issued a request for proposals to replace the 26-year-old system.