Internet Service Providers receive PEI Broadband Funding

Seven Internet Service Providers (ISPs) received funding for projects that will help them to give their Island customers better, faster Internet service. 

The funding was provided through the Accelerated Internet Service Provider Pilot, a stream of the PEI Broadband Fund that gives grants to cover up 90 per cent of project costs to a maximum of $150,000. 

Wicked EH? is one of the companies that received funding. 

“It is our mandate to provide clients with the newest technology to improve their Internet service,” said Joelene Ferguson, Wicked EH? chief branding officer. “There is no better time than now to get greater download and upload speeds to our present and future customers during PEI’s new normal. Our system redesign will provide every one of our customers with a better overall internet experience without increasing prices.” 

A call for applications to the fund went out last month and projects must be completed by December 31, 2020. 

“Together, with local ISPs, we are working hard to come up with quick and creative solutions to get better Internet to Islanders. Our hope with these projects is that it will help ISPs with their costs and we can get as many Islanders hooked up to high-speed internet as possible over the next few months.”

- Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Matthew MacKay

Media contact:
Hillary MacDonald
Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture
902-394-6368
hpsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca 

Backgrounder 

The following ISPs are successful recipients of the Accelerated Internet Service Provider Pilot:

• Air Tech Communications Inc.
• Buzz Networx Inc.
• Island Monitoring/PEI Monitoring
• Island Telecom Services Inc.
• NSEW Connect Inc.
• Red Sands Internet Inc.
• Wicked EH?

The PEI Broadband Fund launched in September 2019. The program provides financial support to communities, businesses, and internet service providers to create infrastructure for better high-speed Internet service. 

In April 2020, the business stream was expanded to include solutions for teleworking to address the impact of shut-downs during COVID-19 pandemic.

In August 2020, the PEI Broadband Fund added two new streams:

• Accelerated Internet Service Provider Pilot – funding for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to upgrade or expand their networks to reach more Island residents
• Residential Pilot – funding for Island residents to purchase equipment that will provide connections to wireless broadband services