Olds Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Project Launches

The Olds Institute Technology Committee has initiated the FTTP project. in Olds. With the intent of making the dream of a SuperNet connected community a reality. The FTTP is a 100% fibre –optic based communications network for local residential and business customers. Fibre-optics are very tiny strands of glass/plastic that are bundled into cables and used to transmit information coded in pulses of light. The network is proposed to be installed through out the community by burying cable in the ground and hanging cable on utility poles. It will be built past every home and business in the Town of Olds.

 The Network will provide customers with access to the triple play of voice( telephone) video/television and internet. The Networks chief advantages are  expected to be interms of improved quality of services, expanded HDTV channel offerings, and faster internet downloading and uploading for much the same cost as existing providers. The Olds Institute is currently working with a number of licensed service providers.

 At this time, the Institute has retained the services of Fiopt Communication Services which is a network planning and design and consulting firm specializing in fibre optic networks. http://oldsinstitute.com/

So what does this mean for Olds? Here is one persons opinion (mine)
Our community’s vision to be recognized as a premier centre for entrepreneurial and small business growth will be driven in a large part by technology. We have attracted major funding to create a Centre of Excellence at the Community Learning Centre (visit the Bell e-learning centre during this spring’s Olds College Open House) to get a sense of what this facility brings to our community in capacity. Next we need to embrace the concept of serving a trade area that goes well beyond our immediate municipal or trade area boundaries. Taking major steps to make connectivity a reality within our community is an investment that is both well timed and necessary if we are to transcend our “small rural market” and springboard to a richer economy that allows people to live and thrive in rural Alberta while selling and doing business with the country and world. If you would like more information on this project and others, visit the Olds Institute link provided.