Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the frequently asked questions section of our website! In this section you can learn more about how we are working to bring high-speed internet to areas in Muskoka.
Q. Where do I go to get service under this network? A.You get service under this network from a participating ISP on Core Broadband's network. Core Broadband's website outlines the Internet Service Providers (ISP's) who have access to this network. Visit the ISP section of Core Broadband's website to find a reseller. http://www.corebroadband.ca/index-2.html
Q. Where is service available under the MCN 's Broadband Project? A. You can view the Core Broadband website to see the areas where service is planned. http://www.corebroadband.ca/index-4.html and http://www.corebroadband.ca/Towers.html will provide some general information about the areas where coverage is either expected or deployed. Check with a participating ISP for more information.
Q. How has MCN been working to bring high speed internet to these areas? A. Using a gap analysis, MCN has identified areas that currently do not have high-speed internet access. This analysis looked at both the supply and demand of high speed internet and gave MCN a good indication of the number and location of people who do not have access. Using information obtained from this exercise, MCN issued a request for proposal in order to select a vendor who could provide this service. The chosen vendor is Core Broadband.
Q. Who is Core Broadband?
A. Core Broadband is a wholesale company, based in Muskoka, that provides high-speed internet services to Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) that provide retail service to homes and businesses. (See www.corebroadband.ca for more information). Individuals looking for service should contact a participating ISP. Look here for participating ISP's. http://www.corebroadband.ca/index-2.html
Q. I don’t have access to high-speed internet now. Why is that?
A. Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) need to make significant investments in infrastructure in order to deliver high-speed service. Before they can extend their networks, these ISP’s need to have confidence that they will be able to recover those investments by having people subscribe to their networks. Muskoka has many areas that remain unserved because it is a very risky investment for service providers to extend service to areas where there are low population densities. There are a lot of fixed costs for ISP’s to expand coverage.
Q. I see that MCN has received funding from FedNor to bring high-speed internet to areas of Muskoka that currently do not have access. How does that help me?
A. MCN is contracting Core Broadband to deliver service to areas currently without high speed internet. MCN expects that the infrastructure that Core Broadband will build will be able to reach 80% of the people who do not have access to high speed internet today. Unfortunately, there will be some areas that are difficult to service. It is impossible to reach everyone – especially those in areas where there are few residents. The good news is that if we can get access to 80% of the people who do not have high speed internet access today, we will have significantly improved broadband access in Muskoka.
Q. When will I be able to get service?
A. MCN expects that the construction of the high-speed network will take approximately 2 years from start to finish. It is a large project and there are lots of things happening behind the scenes. We expect that the first customers will be able to get access sometime in the fall of 2007. It is important for people to understand that this is likely to be the earliest that they will be able to gain access. As construction continues, more and more people will get access. Some areas that are at the end of the schedule won’t be able to get high-speed internet service for close to 2 years, meaning late winter or spring of 2009. A copy of the deployment schedule can be found here.
Q. How much will the service cost me once it arrives?
A. MCN doesn’t control the price that service providers charge in the market place, and as such ISP’s are free to set their own pricing. We expect that installation and ongoing subscription fees should be available at prices that are similar to urban areas where high-speed internet is already available.
Q. I can’t wait 1 or 2 years. What are my options?
A. You can contact the ISP of your choice at any time and see what options they have for bringing service to you sooner. To find a complete list of ISP's that operate throughout this area click here
Q. I still have questions. Who should I contact?
A. You can contact Muskoka Community Network. P:(705) 646-9044 or e-mail us by e-mail.
