Blue River is about to get improved Internet service.
During their July 21 board meeting Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors decided to execute an agreement with Navigata Communications 2009 Inc. to install wireless broadband equipment on the Blue River Library property in exchange for free wireless broadband Internet service to the library.
In June, 2006, the TNRD gave $10,000 to the Interior Science Innovation Council of BC toward the cost of installation of equipment on the TNRD’s Blue River Library by On Call Internet Services. The equipment was to provide line-of-sight broadband service to the community of Blue River.
There was an informal agreement between the TNRD and On Call that in exchange for free Internet service at the Blue River Library, On Call could collocate its transmitter tower on the library roof, and locate its server inside the library.
Unfortunately, the existing service is not capable of serving the community, and does not provide an adequate level of service to those with access. In 2010, Navigata acquired On Call Internet Services and the company applied for a Connecting Citizens Program grant to redevelop and upgrade the service capacity from 10 mbs to 30 mbs.
The board of directors provided Navigata with a letter of support for its application. The company was successful in obtaining the provincial grant, and now wishes to proceed with the project.
The project will require removal of the transmitter tower from the roof and installation of a new 60-foot utility pole to be located adjacent to the building. The server and other equipment will remain inside the library utilizing the same amount of power.
Navigata is willing to enter into a five-year agreement with the TNRD to provide the library with one Internet connection in lieu of monetary payment during the term of the agreement. The connection would continue to provide high speed Internet at the Blue River Library, which would be available to members of the community.
The agreement also provides that Navigata would be responsible to supply, install, repair, service and maintain its equipment, pay for electricity use, and maintain general commercial liability insurance.
Thompson Headwaters (Area B) director Max Lentz has indicated support for the project.