High-Speed Fibre Optic service now in downtown Rossland

Businesses invited to see live demo of super-fast 100 mbps service at March 23 event.

A live demo of Rossland's new high-speed internet service will be held on March 23 from 7:00 to 8:30pm at the Rossland Public Library. — Photo courtesy CBT

Businesses in downtown Rossland can now reap the benefits of high-speed Internet with up to 100 mbps symmetrical service. The downtown area is now connected to the fibre optic network of the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Basin Trust (the Trust).

"We're proud to be celebrating this achievement with the City of Rossland and local Rossland residents who championed the need for better Internet in the community," said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust, President and CEO. "Access to high-speed Internet can help improve the quality of life and prosperity of Basin communities, as well as make our smaller communities more sustainable and we hope this network helps Rossland's economy thrive."

To celebrate the launch, the Trust and the City of Rossland are hosting an event on March 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rossland Public Library for businesses and organizations in the service area. Learn more at cbt.org/rosslandbroadband.

To connect to the network, businesses and organizations contact an Internet service provider and discuss their service plans/rates. Get in touch by April 8, 2016, to receive a free connection from the Rossland network to your business or organization. To learn if you're within the service area see cbt.org/rosslandbroadbandmap.

To help Rossland bring broadband to the community, CBBC took on the role of developing, funding and owning the local network. Until now, communities have had to develop their own networks.

"For a small city, getting high-speed fibre installed was beyond our limited means and yet, we recognize that broadband is an essential piece of the new economy," said Kathy Moore, Mayor of Rossland. "Many thanks to Columbia Basin Trust; without their help and support this project would never have gotten off the ground. I also want to acknowledge the efforts and tenacity of our local, volunteer Broadband Task Force. I hope usage of this network will blossom into a successful economic development tool for our community."

CBBC is working to bring better high-speed Internet connectivity to the Basin and continues to expand its regional network. Broadband is one of 13 strategic priorities for Columbia Basin Trust over the next five years. Learn more at cbt.org/broadband.