We’re Connected … Are You? ??

Don’t have High-Speed Internet yet?
If you are a County Resident, we can help!

News Release – For Immediate Release December 1, 2009

Final Chance to Apply for High Speed Internet ServiceCounty of Grande Prairie residents have only one month left to apply for access to wireless highspeed internet service in the hard-to-service areas. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2009. Earlier this spring the County received up to $300,000 in grant funding from Agriculture andRural Development for the second phase of the project. Under funding guidelines, the Countycontributes 25% of the costs for the project. The County has installed approximately 100 towersin the hard-to-reach areas with another 100 applicants awaiting installation. GPN WirelessNetworks Solutions Ltd., a local internet service provider, is responsible for surveying andinstalling receivers that pick up the signal from existing distribution towers. “We urge anyone having difficulty obtaining service to contact GPN before the deadline,” statedDeputy Reeve Richard Harpe, who is Chairman of the High Speed Rural Internet committee. “This project will ensure students, families, businesspeople, and workers will have the sameopportunities regardless of where they live and work. ”This initiative is already having a positive impact on the residents and businesses in the County. Caroline Thibeault was frustrated with the slow dial-up service at her home west of Bezanson,especially while home-schooling her children. “The trees surrounding our house made itimpossible to receive high speed internet service until the County installed a local tower for us,”stated Thibeault. “Now, we no longer have to drive to the library, all of the information is just aclick away. The best part of the service is that we can log onto social networking sites and viewpictures of grandkids that live far away. It just took too long with dial-up.”