COMMUNITYNET LAUNCHED

Released on May 23, 2001

CommunityNet, the broadband telecommunications network that will enable

Saskatchewan communities to take a quantum leap forward in Internet access,

was officially launched today.



The $71 million, province-wide initiative will extend high-speed network

and Internet access to public institutions in 366 communities. Over the

next three years CommunityNet will link 834 educational facilities, 310

health facilities, 86 First Nations schools and 256 government offices.



CommunityNet brings together provincial government departments and agencies

and the public sectors of education and health. CommunityNet's first phase

will see the creation of an infrastructure to bring high-speed Internet to

the schools and health centres in 150 communities.



The federal government, through Western Economic Diversification Canada

(WD), will contribute $5 million toward the first phase of the project.

This federal investment will enable the connection of 216 schools,

including First Nations schools, in phase one.



"CommunityNet represents a significant step in bridging the digital divide

between urban and rural Saskatchewan regions," Premier Lorne Calvert said.

"It will provide better and faster access to educational resources for

rural students and teachers, and allow health practitioners in those areas

to provide better care to their patients. In addition, CommunityNet will

enable government to provide services to Saskatchewan citizens more

efficiently and cost effectively."



"We're partnering to further support and build on existing Government of

Canada programs such as SchoolNet and the Community Access Program which

enhance access to the Internet for schools and help close the digital

divide in rural, remote and northern areas," Ron J. Duhamel, Minister of

Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification)

(Francophonie) said. "We are committed to using innovation to provide all

Canadians with the opportunity to increase their skills and participate

fully in the economy."



CommunityNet will be delivered to Saskatchewan communities through

SaskTel's existing and new fibre optics and digital services lines via

copper wire and satellite. Satellite bandwidth used in CommunityNet will

be provided by the Saskatchewan Communication Network's (SCN) existing

satellite transponder.



"CommunityNet is an important investment that will connect us to the

future," Minister Responsible for the Information Highway Joanne Crofford

said. "By acting as anchor tenants for CommunityNet, the government and

the public sector will stimulate opportunities to extend the province's

high-speed network to more Saskatchewan residents and businesses. As a

result, we will ensure the province remains competitive."



The WD funding for this initiative was provided in the 2000 federal budget

and is therefore built into the federal government's existing fiscal

framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is

prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making

efficient use of their tax dollars.



Detailed information on the communities that will be connected under phase

one can be found on the network's website at www.communitynet.ca.



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691



Joanne Mysak

Manager, Consultations, Marketing and

Communications

Western Economic Diversification Canada

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 975-5942

WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)



WD World Wide Web site:

English - http://www.wd.gc.ca

French - http://www.deo.gc.ca