Table of Contents

Welcome

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1: Introduction to Current and Upcoming Technologies
1.2: Why Traditional Models Won't Work in Rural Canada
1.3: Overview of the Structure of This Thesis

Chapter 2: Internet Use in Northern Ontario
2.1: Communities and Infrastructure
2.2: Community Based Networks and Their Efforts
2.3: Computer, Internet and Broadband Adoption Statistics
2.4: Outlook for Northern Ontario

Chapter 3: Wired Networks
3.1: Fibre Optic Networks
3.2: DSL
3.3: Cable
3.4: BPL

Chapter 4:Wireless Networks
4.1: WiFi
4.2: Broadband Cellular
4.3: MMDS and LMDS
4.4: Motorola Canopy
4.5: WiMAX

Chapter 5: Satellite Networks
5.1: KU-band and KA-band
5.2: Satellite as a Pipeline

Chapter 6: Broadband Funding Programs
6.1: Government Support for Broadband
6.2: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
6.3: Satellite Internet for Remote Areas (SIRA)
6.4: Federal Funding

Chapter 7: Infrastructure Feasibility Algorithms
7.1: The Need for Algorithms and the Definition of Feasibility
7.2: Reasoning Behind the Algorithms
7.3: Broadband Pipeline Physical Feasibility Algorithm
7.4: Broadband Last Mile Infrastructure Physical Feasibility Algorithm
7.5: Case Study: The Cottage
7.6: Case Study: Village of Hilton Beach
7.7: Afterthoughts on the Algorithms

Chapter 8: Conclusion

Appendix A: List of References
Appendix B: Glossary

2.2: Community Based Networks and Their Efforts

Since 1998, the provincial government and private industry have been putting effort into bringing broadband to Northern Ontario. Municipalities, community groups, libraries, schools, and businesses formed regional coalitions called Community Based Networks (CBNs) to act as the proponents for broadband development in their communities. Regional CBNs include the 807 Northwest Network, ADnet, NEOnet, NipNet, and NetCentral [5]. These CBNs were largely successful in arranging to have fibre optic pipelines installed through the region, thereby bringing broadband by DSL and cable to many communities throughout Northern Ontario by 2003. The CBNs were unable to find suitable solutions for many communities and rural areas not immediately along the path of the pipelines, however. Today, some of the CBNs would appear to believe they've quenched the region's thirst for broadband and are now instead overseeing deployments of cellular telephone towers in under-served parts of Northern Ontario.

Today, national fibre optic backbones run through the region, bringing broadband to most of the communities that fall along their path. Figure 1 shows a national fibre backbone operated by Shaw BigPipe. Smaller fibre networks branch off to serve other towns and populated areas, such as highway 17 along the North Shore in Northern Ontario. Many communities and rural areas not directly along the path of these fibre backbones, however, are often left without access to broadband Internet service despite being within a few kilometres of them. It is the communities in this situation, which account for as much as 30% [19] of Northern Ontario Internet users, for which a solution must be found.

<< Previous :: Next >>

© Jake Cormier, 2006 [jake (at) stormcloudstudios.com]
Completed as a partial requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Science (specialized)
Department of Computer Science :: Algoma University College :: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario :: Spring 2006