Parkland Community Futures Development Corporation (PCFDC) and Manitoba E-Association Inc. (MB E) are pleased to announce the successful approval for funding under the Manitoba Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) through the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program.

Through this $180 million, six-year program, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing in Manitoba's urban, rural and northern municipal infrastructure to improve the quality of life of all citizens and build the foundation for sustained long-term economic growth in the 21st century.

On June 3, 2005 at the Rural Municipality of Dauphin Office an announcement was made by Premier Gary Doer and the Honourable Reg Alcock in support of a $4-million dollar Broadband project for the Parkland Region.

The project support from the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program will now form the required partnership to assist the Parkland Region in providing broadband services to under-served and/or un-served communities that are currently without broadband access. Most often, improved access is necessary in rural and remote communities in order to provide services in the areas of health and education, as well as to augment economic opportunities. For more information on the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program, please visit www.infrastructure.mb.ca on the web.

In March 2005, Parkland Community Futures Development Corporation (PCFDC) and Manitoba E-Association Inc. submitted a Business Plan on behalf of over 30 Incorporated Communities for funding to provide Wireless Internet services in the Parkland Region.

The successful Internet Service Provider who was selected through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process is I-NetLink Wireless. The company was formed in the fall of 2001 and has been instrumental in providing wireless high-speed Internet services to communities who have been unable to attract the major carriers to their area.

Wireless high-speed Internet allows for a wider coverage area reaching far beyond the footprint of other Broadband options and is important in ensuring that rural residents and businesses in rural Manitoba are part of the technology advancements. The service operates on 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz (Licensed Frequency) and 5.8 GHz frequencies. It is rapidly deployable, scalable and has lower implementation costs than those of cable and DSL systems. Like DSL and Cable, broadband fixed wireless is an "always on" Internet-access technology that can meet the growing demand for multimedia, voice applications and video conferencing interaction.

The goal of this project is & was to work directly with communities to ensure that the commitment remains. Since the project is time-sensitive work will continue throughout the year. The anticipated completion of this project is March 31, 2007.

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