OPINION Jul 30, 2020 by Barb Bridgeman MuskokaRegion.com
Barb Bridgeman is a member of Residents Against Muskoka Poverty. – Barb Bridgeman/photo
COVID-19 has served to highlight the challenge of internet connection and bandwidth in Muskoka. For those who are fortunate enough to have access to the internet, working and learning from home has been fraught with unstable and dropped connections. But for our residents not on the lakefront or living in towns, there is little if any affordable access to what has now become a necessity in our digital world. The lack of a robust broadband capability deprives local businesses of the potential for economic growth and hinders the ability of Muskoka students to participate fully in the e-learning opportunities that will help their future earning capability develop. Not unlike our roads, residents need broadband to get them where they need to go.
Muskoka’s level of poverty is above the Ontario provincial average. For many people this is a surprising realization in an area known for wealth. Broadband access, along with affordable housing, are huge systemic barriers to escaping poverty for this group. Without access to affordable internet, the ability to simply meet “check-in” requirements for social assistance, study to improve employment skills, look for work, participate in school learning, or start a cottage-based business is seriously undermined.
The big three providers — Bell, Rogers and Telus — own the necessary infrastructure, decide where and how they will provide service, establish the rates, and decide how much the smaller ISP’s (internet service providers) will pay to use the infrastructure. Government grants go directly to Bell, Rogers and Telus. These companies are left to utilize the funds largely without restrictions. Shareholder return is their priority — that leaves rural areas with little hope of ever having affordable service.
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The municipalities within the Muskoka-Parry Sound riding are now working together to explore this option. The initial step is to do a mapping of the entire geographic region to identify where all residents are located and whether there is internet access currently available.
Government grants will cover most of the cost. Let your local politicians know that you support broadband as an essential service — affordable access for everyone. This change in perspective from a “luxury” to an “essential” service will result in this becoming part of the asset management program of your government.
Barb Bridgeman is a member of Residents Against Muskoka Poverty. You can learn more at rampupmuskoka.ca.