| | Executive Summary
In the summer of 2008, the Rural Development Division of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) commissioned a research project on how rural communities use broadband technology. The research looked at innovative projects in communities throughout the province in a variety of fields, from business to health care to education. The research examined how communities use broadband technology and how the Government of Alberta and stakeholders could help other communities embrace broadband use.
The interviews and conversations with project leaders yielded much valuable information. These leaders were clear about the benefits of the technology, which include expansion of the role of libraries and schools, adding to community capacity and overcoming barriers created by distance and space. They were also open about the challenges they faced, and continue to face, in launching and expanding their projects. Among the challenges are connecting to broadband technology, securing funding, obtaining technical support, finding qualified staff and having time to help people learn and adopt the technology.
The leaders shared lessons about factors that create success. These include: collaboration locally and with external organizations; partnerships to obtain resources, respond to local needs and expand services and programs; social influences, particularly champions and networks within and beyond the community; recognizing local needs and leading people to technology use to meet those needs; community engagement and involvement; effective communications; and building models other communities can adopt.
To spread the culture of broadband, stakeholders could:
- facilitate the sharing of information about projects;
- consider the unique needs of areas of lower population density in developing programs;
- support the development of alternative approaches to providing final mile connectivity;
- support the expansion of existing successful projects into other communities; and
- ensure that support initiatives recognize the need for time for community adoption of broadband technology.
This study’s limited scope highlighted several areas where future research could lead to a better understanding of the potential and challenges of increasing broadband use in rural Alberta. Possible areas for more study are the policies, programs and models in other jurisdictions, statistical information on the factors that promote or inhibit the spread of broadband use, and which connections and collaborations best promote broadband use.
The Alberta government has already taken steps to promote further broadband use in rural communities. It used some of the findings of this research to develop the Rural Connections: Community Broadband Infrastructure Pilot Program. In addition, Rural Alberta’s Development Fund supports a wide range of community-focused projects that will contribute to the growth and prosperity of rural Alberta.
Download the pdf file for the full report. |
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