qathet Regional District (qRD) directors received an update on internet solutions from the company hired to conduct a study.
At the December 10 committee of the whole meeting, Cecil Saele, planning and design manager for Driftwood Communications, outlined the methodology for the qRD connectivity – last mile report his company is undertaking to look at improving internet solutions in the regional district.
He said Driftwood is pleased to take on the request for proposals for internet service. He said he wanted to outline the phases in the project.
The first phase is to gather information through the process of interviews, doing research and conducting public surveys. He said public surveys have been launched online and Driftwood is starting to receive responses. He said there is a realization that not all residents can participate online so there is also a paper version.
Driftwood is also reaching out to all of the existing area service providers, such as Telus, Shaw, Gillies Bay Internet Society, Twincomm and all of the various providers in the area. Saele said there is a lot of emerging technology, such as SpaceX or Telesat, so his company is looking at what they are offering and what is on their horizons for possibilities of service.
The second phase of the project involves actually looking at infrastructure in various regions within qRD. This includes examining and documenting existing terrestrial infrastructures and visiting landing sites of the proposed Connected Coast fibre project and any other sites of interest. Saele said this is already well underway.
Saele said the first phase is slated to be finished on January 22, 2021, and the second phase will be finished around February 25, 2021.
“Phase three is where we take all of this information that we gather and start to work on actual solutions,” said Saele. He said this involves what could be done to fill gaps where residents in qRD don’t have adequate service or service at all.
“That process has started and we anticipate that wrapping up around March 8. We will then put all of the information into a final report. Ultimately, our goal is to have it by March 19.”
Saele said through the whole process the company will be working to post updates and responding to any enquiries from qRD staff.
Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said she is happy this project is underway.
“As one who is very internet-challenged, I really appreciate you doing this and I look forward to the solutions,” said McCormick.
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said he had been interviewed with regard to the study. He said he hopes a lot of good information will be collected from the different parties.
“I’m really optimistic this will give us something really useful,” added Fall.
