OTTAWA — The governments of Canada and Alberta today announced nearly $500,000 in joint funding for Mage Networks to bring high-speed Internet to 280 households in West Bragg Creek, Alberta.
The federal government’s portion of the funding is coming from its Universal Broadband Fund’s (UBF) rapid response stream.
The project is part of an existing agreement between Alberta and Canada, according to a press release.
“The governments of Canada and Alberta will continue to announce projects selected under this agreement over the coming months,” the release says.
“We need to close the connectivity gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Alberta has access to reliable high-speed Internet,” said Gudie Hutchings, federal minister of rural economic development, in the release.
“The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help achieve our national target of connecting 98% of Canadians by 2026 and 100% by 2030,” Hutchings said.
Mage Networks’ president and CEO, Sayed-Amr El-Hamamsy, said the UBF grant will “greatly improve” Internet service in West Bragg Creek.
“Mage Networks appreciates the recognition from the Government of Canada that its innovative MagiNet solution is a key component to bridging the digital divide for all Canadians,” El-Hamamsy said. “This Alberta technological innovation provides a maximum speed of 100 Mbps for both download and upload, and when combined with Mage’s unique Guaranteed Streaming Bandwidth will significantly enhance our customers’ user experience.
“I am delighted to have Mage be a part of the expansion of broadband access in rural Alberta made possible by the Universal Broadband Fund.”
