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Council to look at Elliot Lake broadband upgrade plan

Options to be discussed during Monday's City Council meeting
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Elliot Lake's Director of IT Robyn Scott will recommend that members of City Council approve an all wireless plan for expansion of the city-owned wireless network.

That happens Monday night at the next regular council meeting. Scott's report on the topic includes a presentation by Sudbury-based Lloyd Research Group Inc.

There is also a more expensive hybrid option for the expansion on the table.

The staff recommendation also includes application for the wireless option to the federal Universal Broadband Fund.

If approved, it would Include a municipal portion of 25 per cent or $165,213 to be taken from the Elliot Lake Wireless Reserve and Working Funds Reserve.

Last month, council was given an update on options for improving wireless communication for the cottage lake areas north of the city.

With her recommendation, Scott wrote, "Timeline for the Universal Broadband Fund is March 15, 2021 and a resolution of council is required to submit the application. The city has been providing a municipally-owned infrastructure for wireless communication to waterfront homes for years and has a reserve established for capital improvements using revenue from the subscribers annually.

"The wireless option requires a commitment of council of $165,213 towards a total budget of $655,288 based on 75 per cent funding. The hybrid option requires a commitment of council of $660,850 towards total budget of $2,621,150 based on 75 per cent funding."

The city's wireless reserve had an unaudited balance as of Dec. 31 of approximately $156,000.

The plan goes before Elliot Lake City Council Monday night at 7 p.m. The meeting will be live streamed on the City of Elliot Lake website and broadcast on Eastlink Cable Community Channel 10.



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About the Author: Brent Sleightholm

As a reporter, Brent has covered everything from amateur and professional sports, to politics, entertainment, police and courts, to human interest stories and government issues
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