Fibre Forward has a core objective: ensuring all Albertans have an internet network that matches their ambitions. Alberta is already a growing energy power, and new, Internetenabled technologies offer the opportunity to make energy company offices in Calgary centres of global influence. It offers the opportunities for new companies to emerge, and new industries to take shape in Alberta. Researchers at medical and academic institutions rely on connections to the world as Alberta becomes a region of more prominence internationally. Albertans are savvy consumers of data and information, and with innovation in Internet-enabled devices, and the applications that run on them, the data demands of Albertans are set to increase. And that demand will also be for more information while away from the home or office – mobile data providers will need to be equipped to meet that demand. The key enabler of improvements in mobile data service is more reliance on high-performing fibre; extending the fibre backhaul network closer to the broadband towers that deliver wireless services. Our companies, institutions and people are part of a global economy, competing against the world for opportunities. If we are to build on our province’s enviable position a high-performing, future-ready network infrastructure is not a nice to have – it is a need to have.
In a world where China plans to bring fibre connections into 100 million homes by 2015, when 90% of Australians will also be connected by fibre, and where Google and other companies have aggressive plans to build on more than 117 fibre-to-the-premise networks in the United States, a comprehensive fibre network is becoming not simply a competitive advantage but a competitive necessity. Fibre Forward is about positioning Alberta for success in this environment. This is Fibre Forward’s vision: a robust, higher capacity, and more reliable network that can accommodate Alberta’s data demands at home and on the move, for today and the foreseeable future. Today Alberta has an incomplete fibre network that leaves many communities and customers with substandard Internet service, meaning they cannot take advantage of the full range of services available to them. Without improvements to Alberta’s infrastructure, in the future these opportunities will be even further out of reach. The consequences are significant: lower productivity, less innovation, diminished competitiveness and a weaker and less diverse economy. To Fibre Forward, there is a clear path forward. We believe that any Alberta community could have FTTP connectivity within a year. Every new broadband tower could be connected with fibre rather than unreliable copper. With no new financial commitments from the provincial government. We are not proposing that government develop, finance or build this infrastructure. This vision can be realized with no material increase to the currently planned telecommunications spend. Unlike most other jurisdictions, Alberta has a strong base and does not require significant capital-raising or program spending to make our network world class. Except in the most remote areas of the province, there is a clear business proposition if the policy conditions are right – service providers will make the investments necessary to deliver fibre-based or high-speed local wireless connectivity to Alberta customers. However there is an important role for government as a policymaker and leader. If government sets the conditions, Albertans will deliver a next generation network that will connect the province to the significant opportunities ahead of it. The Fibre Forward coalition represents those who stand to benefit from such a network: we represent all Albertans.