Northern internet users advised to input their results to further research
NORTH BAY – Blue Sky Net, a company dedicated to facilitating improved internet access across Northern Ontario, has just released a report based on their findings gathered over five years of recording and analyzing speed test contributions of Northerners and has submitted that report to the government.
‘The Speed of Northern Ontario Broadband’ is a report of the collective data from those historical speed tests. The report findings are consistent with other reports issued showing disparity between urban and rural connections, as well as an overall average of test results being below federal government objectives.
“Many residents throughout rural Canada have limited access to affordable high-speed internet. It has never been so evident as during the COVID- 19 crisis,” notes a Blue Sky Net release announcing the report. “This is mainly because the investment needed to install and operate internet infrastructure is expensive and there is uncertainty with telecommunication providers’ ability to return that investment. Over the past number of years, Blue Sky Net has led a partnership with FedNor, other information communication technology networks (ICTNs) and area telecommunication service providers (TPSs) to create a visual database of all coverage in Northern Ontario and can provide a spatial view of where internet is, where it isn’t and what speeds it is delivered at.”
As part of their work, Blue Sky Net has created a GIS map at ConnectedNorth.ca where people can enter their street address to discover what telecommunications suppler (TSP) provides service to their area.
As part of the ongoing effort Blue Sky has partnered with CIRA’s internet performance test, “to collect the most detailed information relating to Northern Ontario’s internet speeds.” When taking this test, users will help support applications to funding agencies such as the CRTC, the Universal Broadband Fund and the Provincial Broadband Fund. Blue Sky Net will use the information about speeds at the property level to show the need and the impact improved broadband Infrastructure will have.
Blue Sky Net urges viewers of the report to continue taking speed tests at their locations by visiting www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/
139.nsf/eng/home. Results of these tests go directly to the government department of Industry Canada where speed test data is analyzed for use with funding programs.
The complete report can be accessed at ConnectedNorth.ca/speed-test-report.
