CAMPBELL RIVER – Campbell River is an international winner, receiving a Smart 50 Networks Award for the development of the CRadvantage municipal broadband network. The annual Smart 50 Awards honour the most innovative and influential technology projects around the world.
“This international award recognizes Campbell River’s CRadvantage initiative, highlighting our progressive and innovative approach to improving connectivity and spurring economic development,” says Mayor Andy Adams.
“As the first municipality on Vancouver Island to offer this broadband service, we are proud to also be the first municipality on Vancouver Island to win this award, and grateful for the opportunity to have this service showcased to a worldwide audience.”
“Smaller communities such as Campbell River offer a highly attractive lifestyle that catches the attention of business investors, and affordable access to high speed broadband internet is a priority prerequisite for most businesses considering investment outside large urban centres,” explains Economic Development Officer Rose Klukas.
“Campbell River’s CRadvantage bridges the digital divide by providing the enterprise level internet access these investors expect.”
With service available to buildings in the downtown core, CRadvantage is a key economic driver that strengthens existing businesses and draws new investment to Campbell River. The municipal broadband service also offers an open model for third party service providers to lease network access.
“CRadvantage is attractive to businesses because it enables them to access a fibre optic network with simultaneous upload and download speeds of one gigabit per second at a fraction of the previous cost in Campbell River,” says Warren Kalyn, the City’s information technology manager.
“Since 2009, Campbell River has been working to attract digital industries in an effort to diversify the local economy,” Mayor Adams adds. “With CRadvantage, we are positioning Campbell River to be a key tech community on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, and in Canada.
“We’re getting worldwide attention for enabling high-speed, high-bandwidth internet connectivity for businesses and residential developments in the downtown core.”
Development and marketing of the CRadvantage network was funded by an Island Coastal Economic Trust grant plus investment by the City of Campbell River.
The City’s Smart 50 Award will be presented at the Smart Cities Connect Awards Gala in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 26.
