With this project, the City of Brooks will become one of the first 10 Gbps rural communities in Canada, positioning it as an attractive location for knowledge-based industries and residents who value affordable high-speed connectivity along with an affordable, well-balanced lifestyle rooted in community.
BrooksNET’s mission to build a secure and well-maintained network stems from the community’s constant struggle to get uninterrupted, reliable, and ultra-fast internet. Small communities are often neglected by major telecommunication service providers that primarily focus on larger and more profitable urban centres.
First, we would like to recognize Crown Capital and their wholly-owned subsidiary Community Network Partners Inc. (CNPI). Crown Capital saw the opportunity that existed within the City of Brooks as an underserved broadband community and was willing to invest over $15 million. CNPI was born out of a passion to support Canadians living in rural and remote areas by giving them access to the kinds of network technology typically only available in large urban centers. Their expertise will be used to manage and operate the fibre-optic network to ensure 24/7/ 365 service.
With a population of almost 15,000 and growing, Brooks is the major urban centre between Calgary and Medicine Hat and the second largest community in southeastern Alberta. Brooks provides big city amenities with a small town feel and affordability.
Brooks is one of the youngest communities in Alberta with a multicultural flavour unique to other municipalities in Alberta. Known as “The City of 100 Hellos”, Brooks provides a blend of western hospitality and international flare, creating a one of a kind community that is both friendly and welcoming. You’ll find quality of life is a priority with a commitment to community safety, recreation opportunities throughout the City encouraging an active lifestyle, and a parks and trails system that provides leisure options for all ages. Brooks places an emphasis on programs and services aimed at children and youth, providing a healthy foundation for the next generation.
The IBI Group is a Canadian multi-disciplinary design and technology firm that has been active within Alberta since 1976. IBI has helped plan, design, and implement fibre-optic networks in urban and rural communities including Clearwater Country, Sturgeon County, the City of Lethbridge in Alberta, as well as projects across North America and Europe.
Lite Access is the project’s general construction partner. Lite Access has been installing fibre-optic networks since 2004 and has deployed many fibre-optic networks across Western Canada. Aside from BrooksNET, they have recently been pivotal in deploying broadband infrastructure in Clearwater County and the Ktunaxa Nation Council in Cranbrook, BC. These construction projects make Lite Access Technologies an excellent fit as they draw upon their experience to help build BrooksNET in the most efficient way possible.