With an eye to a brighter future where web entrepreneurs might sip Starbucks as they develop new Amazons or Facebooks while admiring the idyllic mountain views of the Pass, council invited Jason O’Connor, a community relations representative with Axia NetMedia, to make a presentation Jan. 19 on fibre-optic internet networks.

Optical fibre is used by many telecommunications companies to transmit telephone signals, internet communication and cable television signals. It has many advantages over traditional copper wires.

Axia builds fibre optic networks. The process would involve laying fibre-optic cable throughout the town, so it is accessible from every residence or business. Then it is a matter of connecting to the cable from each location.

“We’re looking for communities to invest in, that want to differentiate themselves,” said O’Connor.

O’Connor explained the advantages of having connecting the Pass to a fibre optic network. He said it would increase property values and would be an economic driver for the town.

“I know a lot of young professionals who are telecommuting now,” he said. “They can live anywhere in Alberta. Why [shouldn’t they] live here?”
Axia will be installing fibre optic networks in ten communities in 2016. There are roughly 400 eligible communities in the province, including the Pass.

“The reason we asked you to come here is we’ve been getting requests from our community for higher speed internet,” said Mayor Blair Painter. “It’s to grow the potential for higher tech businesses to come to our community.”

Axia started construction in July of a network in Nanton. It went online about two weeks ago. With a fibre optic connection, each serviceable address has a dedicated, individual fibre line, linking it directly from the network to the house or business.