In the link provided please go to page 3. This is an issue of the Matawa Messenger from December 2015. The broadband request by Matawa seems to have two parts to it. One being that they wish to establish a more reliable connection with the outside world. Two, they are striving to fulfill the completion of a business plan set forth by the Matawa Broadband Working Group, to own and operate a broadband utility exclusive to the north, and under a newly developed business; "First Nations Telco".

http://www.matawa.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matawa-Messenger-Dec-15-2015-WEB-COPY.pdf

Matawa Communities Start

Business Plan for Broadband

Utility

In early 2015, the Matawa First Nations Broadband Feasibility Study indicated that development of a broadband utility owned and operated by our First Nations – is achievable. Following analysis of the broadband environment in the Matawa First Nations area and the communities’ existing infrastructure, the study found that Matawa First Nations communities has a strong opportunity to own and operate a broadband utility offering broadband Internet, telephone and other services to residents, businesses and community anchors within the area. The findings and recommendations of the study were presented to the Matawa First Nations broadband working group, who in turn recommended that the Matawa First Nations Chiefs Council accept the findings of the report and take next steps to continue development of the broadband utility. In September 2015, the working group met to initiate the project which will include finalizing a concept of a preferred route, the validation of construction costs and completion of the business plan for the First Nations Telco. The working group which is comprised of representatives from the communities involved in the project has been working with Matawa Economic Development, Technical Services and Four Rivers staff. We are seeing in many of our remote communities have issues with bandwidth and internet connections

timing out because of the limitations of satellite and microwave towers. When this phase of the project is completed (expected March 2016) we are optimistic that we will be in a better position to table the proposal for federal and provincial capital funding to construct the fibre optic network and provide our First Nations with faster, more reliable internet services.

This network will allow our community members to communicate with other people living in other communities and open doors for new ways to learn online and get health services. The Matawa Chiefs passed a resolution last year that asked for ownership of the fibre optic network to ensure the communities benefit as much as possible. This also allows our communities to oversee the construction to make sure it is done properly. We are expecting our communities to do as much as the line cutting as possible and are looking to employ our youth. If we can get the line cutting done in the winter 2016 then the first communities can be connected in the spring of 2017. We will be asking the community members to sign a petition so that we can make the case to the federal and provincial government to get funded. We are also asking the local businesses and organizations that use the internet to provide letters of support.