A project in Paqtnkek to bring free wifi to the community is making progress.
Chief Paul Prosper says the project was started two years ago and has gone through research and application stages.
Prosper tells The Hawk they’re working to become their own service provider and buy broadband wholesale.
“We’ve got a license from the CRTC to become a non dominant service provider,” he says. “Meaning we’re able to purchase broadband wholesale.”
Prosper says they are partnered with an Antigonish company, Robotnik.
Prosper says they’ve already started with phase one which involves construction of towers, and the logistics of phase two are already underway.
Prosper says that internet can be expensive and that it is almost a necessity now a days.
“Internet can be quite expensive and taxing on incomes,” he says. “Not just on community members but anyone needing those costs and it’s pretty well a necessity these days.”
He says they’re working through the bugs but are optimistic about the project.