To Date

2022-07-25 – Connection of the Lethbridge Broadband system to the Calgary Internet exchange achieved and O-NET delivers services to first Lethbridge Broadband customer!

2022-06-24 – Photoelectronics commissioning complete

2022-06-15 – O-NET begins inside wiring extensions to Lethbridge customers.

2022-06-06 – Photoelectronics from Calix arrive in Lethbridge and bench testing / installation in field facilities begins

2022-05-05 – O-NET named as System Operator and retail ISP provider for the system and begins engaging customers with information on services and pricing on subscriptions.

2022-02-28 – All fibre optic cable terminations and splicing complete and commissioned in right of ways and buildings in Sherring and Churchill

2021-01-31 – Civil Construction complete in Churchill

2021-10-15 – Civil Construction complete in Sherring and beginning in Churchill

2021-09-17 – Last date for customers to arrange a fibre install to property as part of the pilot

2021-08-16 – Field construction of network by RPB Industries begins

2021-07-26 – Competition for operations of network closes

2021-06-22 – Competition for operations of the broadband network including customer services release on Alberta Purchasing Connection

2021-06-08 – Award contract for design / build of the broadband pilot project to RPB Industries

2021-04-19 – Competition for design / build of the broadband pilot project release on Alberta Purchasing Connection

2021-03-23 – City Council amends the Capital Improvement Plan 2018-2027 for 20% of project budget ($1.4 M) to provide funding for the project as required by the ICIP funding stream.

2021-03-16 – Government of Canada formally announces Broadband Pilot will receive funding under the ICIP grant program for 80% of project budget amount ($5.5 M)

2021-02-19 – IBI Engineering begins work on preliminary design package including mapping / material specifications / installation standards to inform a future design / build competition.

2021-02-18 – Government of Canada provides preliminary notice of approval for project which allows work to formally begin.

2021-02-03 – IBI Group Professional Service (Canada) Inc. is awarded contract to complete design and economic analysis of Broadband Pilot contingent on notice of grant funding approval from the Government of Canada.

2021-01-19 – City of Lethbridge completes ICIP COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream application process.

2020-12-17 – City of Lethbridge begins competition for engineering and financial analysis of Broadband Pilot project opportunities. Contract to be awarded once Government of Canada provides approval for grant funding.

2020-09-30 – City of Lethbridge makes preliminary application to have $13.12 M in approved ICIP - Public Transit Stream funding moved to COVID-19 Resiliency Funding. Project list for COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream funding including $5.9 M for Broadband Pilot project.

2020-09 – City of Lethbridge Council requests administration to apply for Broadband Pilot funding from the newly created ICIP-COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream

2020-08-25 – Province of Alberta announces opportunity to reallocate approved Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – Public Transit Stream funding to the new ICIP-COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream.

2020-03-11 – COVID-19 Pandemic declared by the World Health Organization

2017 – Presentation made to City Council as part of the Capital Improvement Program 2018-2027, however without a viable funding source, City Council only received and filed report.

2017-present – Various granting agencies are approached to move initiatives forward in the broadband area in Lethbridge, but none are applicable to Lethbridge at this time. This includes work in researching opportunities in the broadband communications and Smart Cities space.

2016/2017 – Work led by the Intelligent Community Program Manager and Economic Development Lethbridge establishes the Connectivity Working Group (CWG). The CWG initiates a master plan study which leads to a consultant’s report, the “Chermik Report”. The “Chermik Report” identified an opportunity for the City of Lethbridge to build out its broadband fibre system further to enhance connectivity options for citizens and business.

2015 – Intelligent Community Program Manager hired by the City of Lethbridge to investigate opportunities in the City of Lethbridge for advancement of key principles to enable the future