BROADBAND FOR ROSSLAND
This website is designed to provide resource materials to the community of Rossland in regard to the Broadband initiative. It has been created and will be maintained by the Rossland Broadband Task force. It is an evolving resource and will be updated as more information is made available and/or requested.
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UPDATES
For Immediate Release March 15.2016 |
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March 23rd 2016 Session details (Phase 1: service to downtown core of Rossland) Get high-speed Internet Sign up for one year of service with an Internet service provider and receive a FREE fibre connection from the Rossland network to your business. This service offers up to 100mbps symmetrical service (yes, both up and down!), which means that your business will be able to:
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Prior news:
Prior news:
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For Immediate Release
April 16, 2015
ROSSLAND A STEP CLOSER TO OFFERING BROADBAND
Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation working to bring fibre optics into the city
(Columbia Basin) – A high-speed fibre optic network may soon be coming to Rossland thanks to help from the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Basin Trust.
CBBC’s goal is to bring better high-speed connectivity to the Basin. To do so, CBBC continues to improve and expand its regional network. Until now, communities have had to develop their own local networks, which would then be connected to CBBC’s. While a handful of communities have had the capacity to complete this work, others have run into issues, from lack of funding to lack of technical expertise.
“This project in Rossland is an example of how CBBC is evolving in response to the needs of communities,” said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO. “CBBC plans to develop, fund and own the local network in Rossland. We’ll use this learning opportunity to decide whether this is a viable option for us to undertake in other Basin communities.”
Rossland was selected in part because it has a dedicated task force of citizens and municipal government that has been working with CBBC for over two years to bring broadband into the community and exploring a project that would entail connecting business and municipal facilities.
“We are delighted that CBBC is prepared to take on this project in Rossland,” said Kathy Moore, Mayor of Rossland. “Like other smaller communities, Rossland has struggled to contribute to building this infrastructure; however, we know the value it can bring to driving economic development by attracting new residents and businesses, and allowing existing businesses to do more with new and faster Internet services.”
CBBC would build and own the fibre optic network infrastructure and then invite Internet Service Providers to operate on the network. Over the next few months, CBBC will complete key project due diligence
Columbia Basin Trust supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
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For Immediate Release
April 16, 2015
ROSSLAND A STEP CLOSER TO OFFERING BROADBAND
Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation working to bring fibre optics into the city
(Columbia Basin) – A high-speed fibre optic network may soon be coming to Rossland thanks to help from the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Basin Trust.
CBBC’s goal is to bring better high-speed connectivity to the Basin. To do so, CBBC continues to improve and expand its regional network. Until now, communities have had to develop their own local networks, which would then be connected to CBBC’s. While a handful of communities have had the capacity to complete this work, others have run into issues, from lack of funding to lack of technical expertise.
“This project in Rossland is an example of how CBBC is evolving in response to the needs of communities,” said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO. “CBBC plans to develop, fund and own the local network in Rossland. We’ll use this learning opportunity to decide whether this is a viable option for us to undertake in other Basin communities.”
Rossland was selected in part because it has a dedicated task force of citizens and municipal government that has been working with CBBC for over two years to bring broadband into the community and exploring a project that would entail connecting business and municipal facilities.
“We are delighted that CBBC is prepared to take on this project in Rossland,” said Kathy Moore, Mayor of Rossland. “Like other smaller communities, Rossland has struggled to contribute to building this infrastructure; however, we know the value it can bring to driving economic development by attracting new residents and businesses, and allowing existing businesses to do more with new and faster Internet services.”
CBBC would build and own the fibre optic network infrastructure and then invite Internet Service Providers to operate on the network. Over the next few months, CBBC will complete key project due diligence
Columbia Basin Trust supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
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Where is Phase 1? In the current phase of the project being considered, City Hall, limited municipal buildings (public works, water treatment, library), and Rossland's downtown core (Columbia Ave. between St. Paul and Spokane, and Washington St. from Columbia to 1st Ave.) would be connected to the network. .
The content below is from a May 2013 public presentation to Rossland City Council and other tabs in this website offer additional resources and information. Use the Contact tab to send the Task force and questions.
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Considerations of bringing broadband to the downtown core.
1) Competitive advantage
There are numerous case studies supporting the competitive advantage provided by broadband. With Trail and other Basin communities starting their network Rossland needs to stay competitive.
2) Rossland capacity
i) Rossland is home to a number of technology companies, organizations and individuals. A number of these individuals comprise the broadband initiative committee including arguably one of Canadas leaders in online hosting (Brain Fry). This will support success in Rosslands implementation and business case for realizing return on investment.
ii) Two companies to date have indicated they will bring staff to the region if broadband was available.
iii) Schools, healthcare and businesses can improve access to online resources such as streaming presentations etc. that are ineffective with current connectivity.
Broadband has significant impact on rural communities click here for a 10 point infographic and stats.
3) Economic Development and Business Retention and Expansion
Rossland can brand itself as a high tech lifestyle destination for companies and remote work individuals to relocate to. High tech is a high paying industry but they will not relocate without broadband. Companies already operating in Rossland can better utilize technologies to improve their efficiency and diversify products.
4) eGov
The City of Rossland can strategically adopt eGov operations including improved communications systems, community outreach and potentially collaborate with other municipalities in future to share eSolutions. This can improve customer service, community accessibility and the overall bottom line for the city. How? As an example by switching over the phone and City building communications network an estimated $1200 savings a month will be recognized by the City of Rossland. There are more case studies for eGoverment on the website here.
5) Phased approach
The implementation of broadband to city buildings and the main street provides a strong strategy to introduce the greater community to the high speed broadband use and benefits. Through community demo centers in establishments such as the library Rossland citizens can evaluate the improved broadband experience. This can be utilized to assess and develop strategy for a greater community roll out.
6) Rossland autonomy and shop local attitude
The network services and development will be based on the benefits it can provide our community and region vs. current services that benefit large non local corporations with little business interest in developing services for our rural communities. As the Basin network grows services can be added to meet local and community needs For example: education with steaming dedicated education channels, lab apps and the school could even produce its own channel, etc.
Long term vision.
The broadband initiative ties directly to the Strategic Sustainability Plan and Community Economic Development End Goal #3 which is to provide “World-class information and communications technology allows Rossland to attract, retain, and support an elite group of entrepreneurs and professionals who work remotely.”
The implementation of the broadband can act as a foundation for extending service to the larger community and establishing Rossland as a leader in the region.
The content below is from a May 2013 public presentation to Rossland City Council and other tabs in this website offer additional resources and information. Use the Contact tab to send the Task force and questions.
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Considerations of bringing broadband to the downtown core.
1) Competitive advantage
There are numerous case studies supporting the competitive advantage provided by broadband. With Trail and other Basin communities starting their network Rossland needs to stay competitive.
2) Rossland capacity
i) Rossland is home to a number of technology companies, organizations and individuals. A number of these individuals comprise the broadband initiative committee including arguably one of Canadas leaders in online hosting (Brain Fry). This will support success in Rosslands implementation and business case for realizing return on investment.
ii) Two companies to date have indicated they will bring staff to the region if broadband was available.
iii) Schools, healthcare and businesses can improve access to online resources such as streaming presentations etc. that are ineffective with current connectivity.
Broadband has significant impact on rural communities click here for a 10 point infographic and stats.
3) Economic Development and Business Retention and Expansion
Rossland can brand itself as a high tech lifestyle destination for companies and remote work individuals to relocate to. High tech is a high paying industry but they will not relocate without broadband. Companies already operating in Rossland can better utilize technologies to improve their efficiency and diversify products.
4) eGov
The City of Rossland can strategically adopt eGov operations including improved communications systems, community outreach and potentially collaborate with other municipalities in future to share eSolutions. This can improve customer service, community accessibility and the overall bottom line for the city. How? As an example by switching over the phone and City building communications network an estimated $1200 savings a month will be recognized by the City of Rossland. There are more case studies for eGoverment on the website here.
5) Phased approach
The implementation of broadband to city buildings and the main street provides a strong strategy to introduce the greater community to the high speed broadband use and benefits. Through community demo centers in establishments such as the library Rossland citizens can evaluate the improved broadband experience. This can be utilized to assess and develop strategy for a greater community roll out.
6) Rossland autonomy and shop local attitude
The network services and development will be based on the benefits it can provide our community and region vs. current services that benefit large non local corporations with little business interest in developing services for our rural communities. As the Basin network grows services can be added to meet local and community needs For example: education with steaming dedicated education channels, lab apps and the school could even produce its own channel, etc.
Long term vision.
The broadband initiative ties directly to the Strategic Sustainability Plan and Community Economic Development End Goal #3 which is to provide “World-class information and communications technology allows Rossland to attract, retain, and support an elite group of entrepreneurs and professionals who work remotely.”
The implementation of the broadband can act as a foundation for extending service to the larger community and establishing Rossland as a leader in the region.
