Xplore secures funding to expand high-speed internet in rural Alberta

On September 9, 2024, Xplore Inc. announced it will receive $63 million in federal and provincial funding to provide high-speed Internet to over 8,800 households in rural Alberta. This initiative is part of a broader investment aimed at connecting a total of 14,400 households, including 800 Indigenous households, across 120 communities in the province. The funding is sourced from the Government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund and the Alberta Minister of Technology and Innovation. Geoff Lowe, Interim CEO of Xplore, emphasized the importance of this project in their mission to enhance Internet access in rural areas. The company has previously achieved significant milestones in fiber deployment in regions like Prince Edward Island and Quebec, where they connected 33,000 households to high-speed Internet. This new project in Alberta is a continuation of their efforts to expand gigabit-speed fiber-to-the-home services to over 500,000 homes in the coming years. Government officials, including The Honourable Gudie Hutchings and Nate Glubish, highlighted the necessity of reliable high-speed Internet for all communities. They stressed that this infrastructure is crucial for economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents in rural Alberta. The commitment to bridging the digital divide is a priority for both the federal and provincial governments. Xplore’s ongoing and planned build-outs of fiber networks and upgrades to their 5G network are set to enhance broadband services across Canada. This investment not only aims to connect more households but also to empower rural communities, ensuring they can thrive in the digital age.