City of Nelson’s broadband fibre utility partners with School District 8

The new direct partnership between the City of Nelson’s fibre utility and SD8 eliminates the existing network middleman.

by Keith Powell — April 28, 2016

High-speed fibre circuits will soon be available in eight local schools, thanks to a partnership between the City of Nelson and School District 8. — Photo courtesy City of Nelson

Nelson — The City of Nelson fibre utility is partnering directly with School District 8 (SD8) to deliver high-speed fibre circuits between SD8’s seven local schools.

In turn, SD8 will partner with Telus and the Ministry of Education to deliver technology solutions and faster Internet to students, using the province’s Next Generation Network (NGN).

The new direct partnership between the City of Nelson’s fibre utility and SD8 eliminates the existing network middleman — the Province of BC — and provides the District with direct network management and control of their fibre interconnectivity between Nelson schools.

What is the Next Generation Network?

The Next Generation Network is a partnership with School Districts, the Ministry, Telus and IBM, the primary service providers. Launched in March 2014, the multi-year investment in BC classrooms will be fully operational by March 31, 2017, with over 75 per cent of sites completed by March 31, 2016. More about the NGN can be found here.

“The NGN rollout is one of multiple initiatives the Province is leading to bring accessible, fast, and reliable connectivity to all British Columbians,” says Chris Hauff, spokesperson for the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services. “Telecommunications providers throughout the Province are key partners in reaching that goal.”

The circuit award letter read: “Following an evaluation process… the Province is pleased to continue its ongoing contract relationship with the City of Nelson.”

The contract has awarded Nelson Fibre the seven SD8 circuits, which includes Central Education Centre, South Nelson Elementary School, Trafalgar Middle School, Hume Elementary School, Rosemont Elementary School, LV Rogers Secondary School and the Lakeside Maintenance Facility.

“Nelson Fibre supports SD8 fully in their innovative approach to manage their own Nelson Fibre connected network,” says Allison Sutherland, the City’s manager of Information Technology and Fibre network. “We’ve been working on securing this fibre circuit joint proposal with SD8 since December and we are very excited with the successful result.” Sutherland adds that the City was advised during the Ministry of Education’s evaluation process that SD8 was the only School District in the province that submitted a proposal to manage their own fibre connected network.

Nelson Fibre does not provide service out of the Nelson municipal boundary, therefore Telus will be SD8’s firewall and gateway partner beyond Nelson. “We also look forward to building new partnerships with Telus,” says Sutherland, “and enhancing relationships with local businesses and service providers.”

The City reminds potential new customers that Nelson Fibre is currently limited to businesses, schools and regional district organizations, not residential customers.

Businesses interested in leasing Nelson Fibre should visit the Fibre Optic Services’ page at www.nelson.ca for information, applications and related bylaws.