City of Trail offers free fibre connection for future fibre-optic service

The City of Trail is offering free fibre connection to downtown Trail businesses until March 31, 2014. The connection, approximately a $1500 value, will allow businesses to connect to the new high-speed fibre optic network, available in early 2014. Service plans and fees will need to be determined and negotiated with a local, qualified Internet Service Provider (ISP) of their choice.

The purpose of the new high-speed fibre optic network, which is owned by the Columbia Basin Broadband Committee (CBBC) and the City of Trail, is to provide superior business grade broadband at a competitive price.

"Acquiring business grade broadband in our area is all about economic development,” says Don Freschi, Chair of the Trail Broadband Committee and General Manager of Community Futures. “This level of broadband is a necessity for large-scale technical companies, but can also improve the level of service for all businesses, whether it is speeding up customer transaction time, videoconferencing with clients or improving business operations. Not only can all our local businesses benefit from this technology, but it is also a huge attractant for growing high-tech companies wanting to set up shop in our City.”

Businesses within the service area (please refer to the attached PDF map) interested in receiving the free fibre connection must have the commercial property owner fill out a City-issued application, available at City Hall or on the City’s website. The City of Trail encourages businesses and business property owners to take advantage of the free fibre connection, even if they are unsure about signing up for high speed fibre optic service in the future. The recently adopted City of Trail Optical Fibre Service Bylaw states that applicants will receive free fibre connection if applications are received on or before March 31, 2014. Any businesses submitting after this date will be responsible for full or partial payment of the fibre connection.