What Is Broadband?

Basin communities and residents have indicated that access to high-speed internet is a priority. Higher speed can give residents greater quality of life and help communities thrive. For example, it can:

• connect residents
• help businesses stay competitive
• support education
• attract and retain youth
• improve the delivery of health and government services.

It helps level the playing field by ensuring that people in diverse Basin locations have access to the same resources and opportunities as those found in larger municipalities.

When it comes to internet service, the words “broadband” and “high-speed” essentially mean the same thing. Different broadband services may connect users to the internet in different ways, but they all offer high-speed service.

The Trust’s broadband network is a linked series of fibre optic cables made up of many glass strands, each about the thickness of a human hair. The fibre is located both under- and above ground on telephone poles across the Basin. To transfer much information at once, the system converts the data into light signals that move at high speed and high volume.

Communities or service providers can then connect to the Trust’s network, which enables them to offer high-speed service.

• We own the regional high-speed fibre optic network, or fibre backbone.
• We then construct points of presence in communities and rural areas. These locations have equipment that allow internet service providers to connect to the network.
• Sometimes we build and own the last-mile fibre (the fibre that goes right into the community), like in Rossland. Other times, the communities themselves take on this role, like the City of Trail.
• Local internet service providers then provide internet access to residents by doing building drops, which involves connecting individual buildings to the last-mile fibre.
• In rural areas, internet service providers connected to our points of presence deliver internet to residents through wireless signals.