FIRST MILE DEVELOPMENTS
Across Canada, First Nations are building broadband systems and using them to deliver services in their communities. Outside of major centres, many remote and rural First Nations remain underserved. The experiences of the early adopters of these tools and systems help create new opportunities for those starting their first mile broadband connectivity journey. The First Mile website is a place to share best practices and lessons learned. Together we are conducting research and publishing the stories of how First Nations are putting First Mile concepts into action so that we may learn and grow together.
The ‘First Mile’ refers to local broadband systems: infrastructure and networks.
The First Mile focuses on local connectivity from the perspective of a community. Across Canada, First Nations are building broadband systems and using them to deliver services in their communities. To be effective, these systems must be designed and implemented with local communities from the very start. Community members need access to bandwidth and proper training. They can help shape technologies to meet local needs.
You are invited to explore and contribute.
Testimonials
“There’s good and bad. Like people, at first, would visit each other and help each other. When they didn’t have phones they would go to their houses and communicate and help that person out anyway and just visit. And then when phones came around, they just pick up the phone and just talk on the phone.”
“We didn’t know if it was affordable. It seemed overwhelming — 2-way cable TV, a local TV channel — but we thought we could handle it because it offered us new avenues.”
“Like Facebook… if one of their sisters are out of town, but then she needs comfort or talking, then they can just talk to each other on Facebook.”
follow us
PO Box 104, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2
info@firstmile.ca
Toll-Free: 1-888-995-8847