Table of Contents

Welcome

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1: Introduction to Current and Upcoming Technologies
1.2: Why Traditional Models Won't Work in Rural Canada
1.3: Overview of the Structure of This Thesis

Chapter 2: Internet Use in Northern Ontario
2.1: Communities and Infrastructure
2.2: Community Based Networks and Their Efforts
2.3: Computer, Internet and Broadband Adoption Statistics
2.4: Outlook for Northern Ontario

Chapter 3: Wired Networks
3.1: Fibre Optic Networks
3.2: DSL
3.3: Cable
3.4: BPL

Chapter 4:Wireless Networks
4.1: WiFi
4.2: Broadband Cellular
4.3: MMDS and LMDS
4.4: Motorola Canopy
4.5: WiMAX

Chapter 5: Satellite Networks
5.1: KU-band and KA-band
5.2: Satellite as a Pipeline

Chapter 6: Broadband Funding Programs
6.1: Government Support for Broadband
6.2: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
6.3: Satellite Internet for Remote Areas (SIRA)
6.4: Federal Funding

Chapter 7: Infrastructure Feasibility Algorithms
7.1: The Need for Algorithms and the Definition of Feasibility
7.2: Reasoning Behind the Algorithms
7.3: Broadband Pipeline Physical Feasibility Algorithm
7.4: Broadband Last Mile Infrastructure Physical Feasibility Algorithm
7.5: Case Study: The Cottage
7.6: Case Study: Village of Hilton Beach
7.7: Afterthoughts on the Algorithms

Chapter 8: Conclusion

Appendix A: List of References
Appendix B: Glossary

Chapter 6: Broadband Funding Programs

6.1: Government Support for Broadband

Canada's economy is continuing to become more dependent on the Internet. Companies and small businesses need broadband Internet access to conduct day-to-day business, while families and students need it to stay connected to the rest of the world. Lack of broadband Internet access puts communities at risk of falling behind and missing out on new economic opportunities. Private companies like telephone and cable providers tend not to invest in infrastructure in rural communities because the low population will often mean a low return on investment. The provincial and federal governments are aware of this, and as a result a number of funding programs have been made available to make broadband infrastructure projects more economically feasible. Up until 2003, there was very strong support from programs like Connect Ontario: Broadband Regional Access (COBRA) which resulted in deployments of fibre pipelines to several communities in Northern Ontario. The COBRA program was stopped in 2003 [52], and governmental support for broadband infrastructure deployment has been waning since then. Today, just two funding programs are available in Ontario.

Who can take advantage of these funding programs? Municipalities, economic development corporations, community based networks (CBNs), or public-private partnerships would likely be the top proponents of broadband infrastructure projects. Most small municipalities are without an expert on broadband infrastructure, however, so their first step should probably be to get in contact with their local CBN. From there, a technology is researched, partners are selected, a feasibility and/or engineering study is completed, and then public and private investment can be sought.

<< Previous :: Next >>

© Jake Cormier, 2006 [jake (at) stormcloudstudios.com]
Completed as a partial requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Science (specialized)
Department of Computer Science :: Algoma University College :: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario :: Spring 2006