Skip to content

Nelson Fibre developing local infrastructure

Proposed changes would allow businesses to share the service and would incorporate a new fee system.
52507westernstarNelsonFibre
The city’s Allison Sutherland recently addressed council about the fibre infrastructure in Nelson

Nelson Fibre unveiled its new logo at a recent council meeting, while the city’s Allison Sutherland called for bylaw changes that would encourage the growth of local broadband infrastructure.

The proposed changes would allow businesses in the same building to share the service, and would incorporate a new fee system. It would also mean businesses unable to pay the fees could enter into a cost-sharing partnership with their neighbours.

As previously reported in the Star, city manager Kevin Cormack believes “communities are quickly realizing that broadband is a key part of municipal infrastructure. In order to compete in today’s world it is vital to have high speed broadband in your community.”

But so far that service has been limited to those who can afford it, mostly large institutions. Thus far the city has been able to access the necessary infrastructure through Nelson Hydro without involving other utilities or telephone companies, which means they’re able to offer what’s known as dark fibre.

During the city’s research, it was discovered that Nelson’s dark fibre is the cheapest in Canada. Their operation will function similar to Nelson Hydro, and at an upcoming meeting a 58-page marketing and sales plan will be unveiled.

The city referred the bylaw changes to staff for deliberation and will discuss them at a meeting on Tuesday.