Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Residents of communities in the Smoky River Region will soon have access to more reliable and quicker internet services, thanks to fiber optic lines recently installed in select communities.
Northern Lights Fiber Bilingual Community Ambassador Esther Picard says as of September, residents of McLennan, Girouxville, Falher, and Donnelly will have the option to purchase the newest internet available in the region.
“Starting on Sept. 8, Northern Lights Fiber will start to install their internet in homes,” says Picard, noting that residents would have noticed the Canadian Fiber Optics crews installing fiber over the course of the last few months.
“Right now, they are just wrapping up lines in Girouxville and McLennan.”
Picard urges anyone who hasn’t signed authorization forms to have the lines put on their properties to do so before the end of September.
A grant was received allowing the installation of the lines free of charge, but that deadline is quickly approaching.
Cost to residents to bring in the lines will then be between $3,000 and $6,000.
“It increases your property value to have this service brought in,” says Picard.
“Even if the homeowner isn’t interested in the internet, it would be a good idea to have the service brought onto the property for future owners.”
Homeowners who are interested in purchasing the new internet will be approached by Picard in upcoming days, alternatively they may receive a phone call from head office offering the service.
There are multiple promotional packages being offered at the beginning of September.
If interested individuals sign a two-year contract they will receive free electronics with their contract. All packages include unlimited data, and baseline support from Northern Lights Fiber.
If you are interested in signing up for the new internet, Picard asks you to call or text her at 780-837-6704 or email esther@canadianfiberoptics.ca.
Correction
In the story entitled Better internet service now available in the Smoky River Region, Page 3, Sept. 4, South Peace News, there was an error.
The investment to bring connectivity to the communities of Falher, Donnelly, McLennan and Girouxville is being made through Northern Lights Fiber private funding, not through grant funding as reported.
Future cost to bring lines into homes can be $1,000 or more, further illustrating the investment that Northern Lights Fiber is making the community.
Internet installation will begin on Sept. 9. Northern Lights Fiber representatives will reach out to all customers to arrange for an installation that best suits their needs while operating within our capabilities and timelines. South Peace News apologizes for the error.