Fiber the Backbone of New Economic Opportunity

Monday, November 03, 2008 08:13 PM

Prince George, B.C. – There is an economic opportunity in the city’s fiber optic infrastructure.

The Advanced Networks Task Force says the fiber optic network is a positive that can be used to attract new business to Prince George.

The Task Force says there is a case to be made to expand the network ( at a cost of $3.3 million) to attract new technology business. Roy Spooner of the Innovation Resource Centre says there is a whole list of grants available to cover most of the costs, he figures the actual cost to the City could be brought down to about $1.25 million

“We are moving into a knowledge economy throughout the world, what we are trying to give you is a feasibility study and a plan to actually engage in the diversification of the economy” says Spooner.

Their study was done without having to go to the City for funding ( study cost 49 thousand) and determines there is a demand and the first phase should have the system expanded downtown. Phase two would be around the area west of Highway 97 from Spruce land, to the Pine Centre.

By creating expanded access to fiber optics, business here will be able to compete on an equal playing ground. “Fiber optics provide speed and accuracy that cable and copper wire cannot provide” says Spooner. He says businesses could tackle larger projects if they had access to fibre optics. Spooner says the City should focus on providing the fiber, Spooner says the analogy is, “The City should build the highway and let someone else get involved in the trucking industry”.

Spooner says there are real economic benefits, “It does create real economic diversification it allows knowledge companies to say hey, land is cheap in Prince George, life is good in Prince George, and they can operate out of Prince George as easily as they can in the lower mainland, so why not here?”

Fiber is now a necessity for business says Charles Scott "You can get to Vancouver with a car, or by peddling a bike. Certainly both will get you there, but if you are peddling a bike you are not going to be able to compete with those who are driving the car."

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Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 08:13 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Old Hippy on November 3 2008 8:34 PM

Fix the roads first

Posted by: Harbinger on November 3 2008 8:37 PM

It is of my honest opinion that our "gritty little mill town" of Prince George does not know how to market itself. Like other communities in the real world. When I open a travel magazine about the Caribou there is no mention of Prince George. Just Quesnel Smithers Valemont et al. Everytime I peruse a Beautiful BC magazine I always look fer PG. It's never there. I get invites amongst my junk mail saying "Come to Edmonton and shop" or "Kamloops welcomes you" and all sorts of stuff like that. Eat here and get gas. I am afraid that is all we here in PG will be known for. So sad.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on November 3 2008 9:01 PM

What areas of the city already have fiber optic service?

Posted by: lostfaith on November 3 2008 9:32 PM

Build it and they will come. Ya ok. The taxpayers of this city can't afford it Spooner. You want it, you pay for it.

Posted by: lostfaith on November 3 2008 9:33 PM

There's always someone looking to empty our wallets isn't there.

Posted by: lunarguy on November 3 2008 10:16 PM

The fiber is to the major consumers in the city. UNBC, Hospital, City, RCMP and has connections to Shaw and Telus as well. It has been in service for years now. Hasn't brought any real economic benefits so far but it is always a good sell to the masses.

Posted by: Shellshadow on November 4 2008 10:53 AM

Yes but the city hired a tourist expert for the tune of 100,000.00 salary last spring. Guess he/she does not know about the tourist books out there that PG is not in. Sad!!