Shaw Communications wants to bring a wifi network to the Jasper townsite.
The company is asking the municipality to sign an agreement that would allow it to install several micro transmitters on municipal infrastructure across town. Those transmitters would allow the company to provide free wifi access to its customers, as well as the general public.
Last week, Peter Waterworth, the town’s recently retired chief administrative officer, told council that Shaw is asking for “an open agreement that would basically allow them to put small micro transmitters on some of our lampposts to provide open internet.”
He said those transmitters would create a wifi network that would provide “a full range of coverage across town.”
Shaw customers would be able to log on free of charge, and non-customers would be able to access the network for a specified time by providing an email address, “the same way you would in an airport.”
Shaw would install the transmitters on its own dime, and, in exchange for the use of municipal infrastructure, would provide free wifi in select locations of the municipality’s choosing—such as the activity centre or public parks.
The agreement would also be an open one, which means other companies wishing to provide similar services would be free to do so.
Council’s reaction to the proposal was generally positive, but Mayor Richard Ireland did question what impact a free wireless network would have on local businesses that sell by-the-minute Internet access.
Waterworth was the plan’s strongest supporter, pointing out that similar networks are already popping up in communities across the country.
“It’s on its way, and it’s one of those things where if you don’t have it, before very long you’re going to have people saying ‘why don’t you have it?’
“It’s got a lot of attraction in what it does for us in terms of coverage.”
A presentation from Shaw was included in the Sept. 2 council agenda, and the municipality’s new CAO, Mark Fercho, plans to bring a more detailed report to council within the next couple of weeks. He will then ask for its direction on how to proceed.
Trevor Nichols
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