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

6.2: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund [62] is a multi-purpose fund designed to assist in projects related to job creation, internship, entrepreneurship, energy conservation, emerging technology and community infrastructure. The Emerging Technology Program can provide funding to information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure projects put forward by non-profit corporations, municipalities, public-private partnerships, and private companies. Up to 50% of the project cost can be covered by conditional contributions or loans through this program, to a maximum of $1 million. Projects must create jobs, and must have economic development goals. The deadline for this funding program is December 31, 2007.

One hypothetical example of a project that may be eligible for NOHFC ICT funding is a rural municipality that would like to deploy and operate its own WiMAX network. Perhaps the project might require the hiring of one full-time staff member to install subscriber modules and manage subscriptions to the service. A WiMAX base station could be installed on the antenna tower behind the fire hall, which has a clear view for several kilometres around. Since no broadband Internet pipeline is available nearby, a WiMAX backhaul can be installed between the tower and the next town over, which falls along a major highway 15km away and has access to a fibre pipeline. The access point cluster, control hardware, wiring, installation, and 50 subscriber modules will cost about $50,000. While the number of interested subscribers in the municipality could make the WiMAX project feasible, it would be difficult for the municipality to incorporate it into its budget. Banks would be unlikely to finance the project because it's a new, unproven technology and not a typical municipal project. In this situation, the NOHFC ICT fund could cover $25,000, which would make the project affordable for the municipality.

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© 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