Yellowknife (July 14/03) - High-speed internet access all over the NWT could be in place by 2005.

The Broadband Business Alliance (BBA) submitted a business plan to Industry Canada in order to access funds available to bring high-speed internet access across the country.

The BBA is comprised of five NWT groups who had their proposals for developing broadband access in the NWT approved.

The five groups (Deline Land Corporation, Deninu K'ue Development Corporation, Tetlit Gwich'In Council, Tli Cho Tribal Council and the Denendeh Development Corporation) joined together in February hoping a collective effort would be stronger.

"We felt this would be much more successful in ensuring long-term sustainability," said Fred Behrens, spokesperson for BBA, in a press release.

The federal program will provide up to $30,000 or 50 per cent of eligible costs (whichever is less) in funds.

The plan addresses the need for a locally trained labour force for installation, operations and maintenance.

The BBA business plan is up for approval in October this year, and if accepted, funds will be provided to facilitate the deployment of the broadband infrastructure to all communities, regardless of how remote they are.

BBA chose Ardicom Digital Communications Inc./NorthwesTel as vendor of choice to proceed.

The federal government introduced the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Program which calls for high-speed internet access to all Canadian communities by 2005.