Digital telecommunications infrastructure underlies most, if not all, dimensions of regional economies. Today, the internet is essential to the well-being of those who live and work in small towns and rural areas. There is a strong need for internet access within rural areas: internet can be essential to creating equitable access to education and health care; it facilitates entrepreneurship and business opportunities; and digital technologies enabled by broadband are increasingly used for the sustainable use of natural resources such as water and supporting local food production.
A competitive, open access expansion of broadband network architecture and operations for applications running on it extends internet service into the areas of priority need. The “last mile” connections are many communities of rural homes, businesses, farms and fields. Yet these are the “first mile” areas that feed and fuel the nation; they provide many resources essential to everyone’s life and well-being within regions and their cities, as well as beyond them.
University of Guelph’s Helen Hambly and Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Mark Brock explain how farmers are using technology to their advantage.
We welcome new collaborations and seek to ensure the best possible knowledge base for “all things rural Internet.” We do this not only for the sake of top-notch research and innovation, but also for the benefit of everyone living in Ontario and across Canada.
