Broadband to 'light up' downtown Trail in time for the holidays
By Contributor
Business-grade fibre broadband is ready to be lit-up in downtown Trail just in time for Christmas. Columbia Networks will be the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide services on the new open access network. Initial business offerings include connectivity up to 100Mbps (upload and download), email, offsite data storage and Microsoft Partner software licensing.
The open access model allows ISPs to compete for customers and offer a wide range of network services over fibre. Future services offerings may include telephone service, video security monitoring, data backup services, video conferencing, software as a service, e-learning, and e-medicine to name a few.
Don Freschi, Chair of the Trail Broadband Committee stated, “This is the first step towards building intelligent communities that allow our businesses to adapt and prosper in the growing digital economy.” Trail is well situated to host technology firms as it has good connectivity, a technology business incubator, and a new state of the art data centre.
Terry Van Horn, Economic Development Officer for the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corp (LCIC) says, “It’s exciting to see such an important initiative come to fruition.” Over the summer the LCIC worked with the Trail Broadband Committee and City of Trail to raise awareness of the network expansion. The City of Trail received over 180 applications for a FREE fibre optic connection. Duane Birnie, City of Trail Information Systems Coordinator stated, “We expected good uptake, but the number of connections requested was close to double what we anticipated.” Nearly every building in the downtown Trail service area took advantage of the free offering and can now connect to the network.
For more information on service packages available on the Trail Fibre network email Columbia Networks at Sales@ColumbiaNetworks.ca or call (888)527-0540. For more information on the Trail Broadband initiative visit www.TrailBroadband.ca.Contact the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corp (LCIC) at 250-364-6461 or info@lcic.ca for information on the Lower Columbia region.
ABOUT LCIC
The LCIC strives to develop a creative, dynamic and competitive business environment that fosters economic growth. The LCIC works collaboratively with the communities in the Lower Columbia region, local agencies, organizations and businesses to develop and implement strategies that will assist in strengthening our local economy.
