O-NET is Canada’s first example of a community owned and operated fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) deployment. It was conceptualized in 2004 by the Technology Committee of the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development. Community leaders originally conceived of an “open telecommunications network” that would directly connect every home and business to fibre optic cable. Internet Service Providers could then use this fibre link to offer services to customers.
When those ISPs did not come forward, O-NET was established separately as an ISP to supply services, using the community infrastructure. Construction began in 201142. O-NET now operates as a “triple play” service provider, with internet, telephone, and television services available to all residents of Olds.
The Olds example has demonstrated the importance of having strong local support in order for a community broadband project to be successful. At a 2015 broadband information session with the Calgary Regional Partnership, Mitch Thomson, executive director of the Olds Institute, remarked: “The Olds Institute has over 150 volunteers and 11 standing committees. [We] have tried to tally what value those volunteers brought to the process. At a $10.00/hour rate, it would reflect millions of dollars of dedicated expertise and effort from volunteers in many corners of our community43.”
O-NET offers internet packages at speeds of 250 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gbps at $90/month, $105/month, and $125/month, respectively44. O-NET also offers wholesale service to communities interested in developing their own FTTP networks. O-NET connects to the Calgary Internet Exchange (YYCIX) through fibre leased from Shaw45. As a result, O-NET can serve as the ISP over any network that also has a fibre connection to Calgary. At present, O-NET provides service to the village of Waterton in Waterton National Park.
References
42O-NET. About O-NET | O-NET (o-net.ca) Accessed 21 February 2021.
43Calgary Regional Partnership. Notes of June 17, 2015 CRP Broadband Information Session, 17 June 2015, p.4. Accessed 22 May 2016.
44O-NET. Products. http://o-net.ca/internet/ Accessed 21 February 2021.
45Calgary Regional Partnership. Notes of June 17, 2015 CRP Broadband Information Session, 17 June 2015, p.6. Accessed 22 May 2016.
46 Town of Olds. Notice of Public Hearing: Regarding Olds Fibre Limited. Accessed 21 July 2021.