Economic Development

Recent developments in the global economy have created a multitude of challenges. The volatility of the energy industry puts the "Alberta Advantage" in jeopardy.  Alberta communities need to reduce our heavy reliance on the oil and gas industry for our future prosperity.

Many businesses that have been successfull in the energy business in the past are not doing very well.  Many more will not survive the recent and ongoing recession.  Those companies that have been able to survive thus far are increasingly forced to relocate their infrastructure and staff to larger centers like Calgary where they can have access to better telecommunications infrastructure.

With the appropriate infrastructure investments, the information and communications technology (ICT) industry can generate a substantial number of good paying jobs for our local economies, as other Canadian jurisdictions have already found out.

• Nova Scotia increases its call center population
• Jobs in customer service: Call Centers in Nova Scotia
  

New developments in technology clearly indicate that the ICT sector is integral to Canada's success as a country. Provincial and Federal governments recognize this trend.

 The Digital Economy in Canada - Building the e-Economy

Accelerating Broadband Enablement in Rural Alberta

Of course, ICT jobs aren't going to land in Alberta just by wishing for them. There are some obstacles which we must overcome:

The Current Network is Insufficient

Our communications and networking needs have grown over the last several years. A lack of robust high speed internet and lack of competition among internet service providers is causing Canada, and Alberta in particular, to fall behind our international peers. Low levels of investment in communications infrastructure has created a multitude of challenges. Consumers require more robust access to communications in order to be fully engaged in the increasingly connected global economy.

Please see this letter of support from a typical small business in Medicine Hat.

Restricted Service Availability

Here is one of many examples illustrating the obstacles to efficiency and growth: a certain provider in Canada provides "Nitro - 100Mbps download and 5Mbps upload" service for $150/month in certain areas of Calgary and Edmonton. When asked about access to this service in other municipalities, they replied that they have no idea when Medicine Hat or other communities might get similar services. Then came the big surprise. The service agent stated, "That service isn't available for businesses". One might ask, "Why are businesses not given access to these more advanced services?"

Our business community needs advanced telecommunications services. Please see another letter of support from a larger software development business which exports outside of Canada.

Current Services are Expensive

The existing providers in Canada have made it clear they want business customers to access their "business services". These services start at $300/month for substandard technology (coaxial or copper cabling) and range up to $8000/month for a more reliable fibre service. Canadians need equitable access to broadband. These shortcomings have become substantial obstacles to growth and efficiency in Canada.

• CBC reports on a Harvard University Study which is very critical of broadband services in Canada.
• This letter from several competitive ISPs

World Standing and International Competitiveness

According to Speedtest.net, as of 2009 Canada ranks 36th and 41st internationally in terms of high speed capability.

Just over 10 years ago Canada ranked 7th. Perhaps most disturbing is that only a few years ago, the OECD reported Canada at 30th globally. It has become abundantly clear that we are rapidly falling behind the industrialized nations of the G8 and G20 on this very important trend in global communications.