The islands are a bit closer to high-speed internet following an announcement from the federal government. Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal announced Friday that the Gwaii Trust and fifteen other organizations across the country have had their funding approved to develop a business plan for high-speed internet.
The Gwaii Trust will receive $30,000 from Ottawa to develop a business plan on how broadband service would be implemented on the islands. It has until May 22 to submit the plan.
High speed internet is for more than web surfers. It opens the way for a range of new opportunities including more efficient e-business and better communication between medical facilities.
The Gwaii Trust application was one of 222 received by Ottawa, which approved only 16. The feds hope to have broadband internet available in all Canadian communities by 2005.