P.E.I. business leader applauds news of better internet for rural areas

XplornetCommunicationshas been awarded a $1.6million contract to deliver broadband to rural areas of Prince Edward Island.

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It's a move that can't come too soon saidKeirWhite, general manager of the Belfast Community Development Corporation and vice-chair of the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce.

People see it as an essential service, like water and power.- KeirWhite, Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce

"It's right at the top of everyone's list ...you can't co-ordinate business these days without havinginternetservice," White said.

The lack of dependable internet servicehas beenfrustrating for businesses,added White, whoalso runs Belfast Highland Greens golf course andLordSelkirkcampground.

"Sometimes it actually won't even work, just depends how much bandwidth someone is using.Then you can't even access basic services like email or Facebook," he said.

The Xplornetcontract is part of$305 million committed in the federal budget todeliver high-speed connections to Canadians in rural areas.

The P.E.I. portion is supposed to extend high-speedinternetto 12,000 homes.

The cost ofinternetpackages withXplornetCommunications ranges from $50 to $110 per month.

Having a fast and efficient connection is something everyone expects these days, even when they are on vacation, said White.

"People see it as an essential service, like water and power."