Rural Broadband Internet

High-Speed Internet service now available
Sign up today
Send a friend bonus referral program
How high-speed came to rural Ottawa
Clarification re: Wireless line-of-sight technology
Internet locations for public use
Computer / Internet training

High-Speed Internet service now available in rural Ottawa

The City of Ottawa, in partnership with Xplornet Internet Services, a division of Barrett Xplore Inc., is proud to announce the availability of high-speed Internet service to everyone in rural Ottawa. Xplornet will ensure high-speed Internet service through its use of dual technology – fixed wireless and satellite. This means that Ottawa is the first major municipality in Canada to ensure complete rural access to broadband at speeds, quality and price comparable to urban areas.

This levels the playing field between urban and rural Ottawa; it also brings to the rural areas expanded opportunities for business, education, communication and access to government services.

Benefits of broadband include:

• It is always on – no dial up – no waiting
• High speed downloading – graphics, photos, videos and music files load quickly
• Fixed fees – you know what you are paying each month
• Frees up your phone line

Sign up today

Those who want to sign up for this new service can visit xplornet.com and click the Ottawa link for detailed information. Customers can also call 1-866-841-6001 toll free. An Xplornet representative will be in touch with customers to provide updates and installation information.

Send a friend bonus referral program

Barrett offers an ongoing incentive program for customers who refer new clients. To learn more about the details on the program, please visit http://www.xplornet.com/friend.

How high-speed came to rural Ottawa

Barrett Xplore’s partnership with the City of Ottawa began in early 2007 when the company won a competitive bid tendered by the City to provide 100 per cent broadband coverage to every corner of rural Ottawa.

To date, the City has made steady progress, expanding rural broadband availability since its Broadband Plan was adopted in 2003, from a starting position of 2 per cent, to full coverage today. Rural residents and businesses participating in the November 2005 Rural Summit reinforced the need for the City to continue its efforts to provide full coverage of broadband in rural areas.

The City’s broadband objectives align perfectly with Barrett Xplore’s mission to provide first-class broadband to rural homes and businesses everywhere in Canada. Barrett Xplore has worked with Motorola to complete in excess of 200 fixed wireless broadband deployments in rural Canada, reaching 300 rural communities and covering 350,000 homes and businesses.

In addition to its extensive wireless broadband coverage, it has also partnered with Telesat Canada to deliver high-speed Internet access using satellite technology everywhere in Canada.

Clarification re: Wireless line-of-sight technology

Some residents have asked questions related to wireless technology and the line-of-sight required for subscribers to access the network. Xplornet uses two different radio systems to connect customers to the fixed wireless network. These systems operate at either 2.4 GHz or 900 MHz. The 2.4 GHz radios require a clear line-of-sight between the radio installed at the customer’s premises and the radio at the Xplornet tower - so there must not be any obstructions such as trees, buildings, etc. The 900 MHz radios are also a line-of-sight product, but due to the properties of the 900 MHz frequency, the signal can penetrate a limited amount of obstruction. This is commonly referred to as near line-of-sight. In all cases, a call to Barrett Xplore and a subsequent site visit and evaluation by a Certified Xplornet Installer is the best approach. The installers are well versed in available products and in finding creative ways to work around line-of-sight issues. They can often find an alternate location on the property for installation, or may be able to mount the radio at an additional height to ensure the signal clears any obstructions.

For more information on the project, contact the Rural Affairs Office at ruralaffairs@ottawa.ca

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Internet locations for public use

The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) provides free access to Internet-ready computers for residents of Ottawa and beyond. This service is supported by the Community Access Program (CAP), a joint initiative of Industry Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Culture.

The mission of CAP is to assist Canadians in both rural and urban communities to take advantage of emerging opportunities presented by the new global knowledge-based economy.

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Computer / Internet training

Do you want to improve your computer skills? Access the Ottawa Public Library computer or Internet workshops. If we do not have what you are looking for, you may also want to try the workshops at the City of Ottawa Employment and Financial Assistance Centres.

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