ESIS Fibre Town Hall

Slides presented during the ESIS Fibre Town Hall meeting in April 2023

ESIS Welcomes Isaac Maxfield, Project Coordinator for Fiber to the Home

The ESIS Board of Directors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kaslo infoNet (KiN), allowing for an exchange of expertise between the two not-for-profit ISPs who share the same goal: to provide the best possible internet service to the communities of Kootenay Lake. In the spirit of this shared vision, ESIS welcomes Isaac Maxfield, Executive Director at KiN, as Project Coordinator for ESIS’ Fiber-to-the-Home project, which is scheduled to begin construction this Spring (2023). Isaac brings to the team a wealth of experience managing fiber-optic network builds and project funding, and we look forward to ongoing successful collaboration between ESIS and KiN.

Fiber to the home project funding approved

The East Shore Internet Society (ESIS) is pleased to announce the approval of funding for the deployment of Fiber to the Home (FTTH) from the Canada Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Implementation of this three-year project will build fiber-optic connectivity into the ground along public roadways, to residences and businesses specifically in the Crawford Bay area and the Riondel-Kootenay Bay corridor, wherever feasible. The project will provide speeds of up to 250 Mbps symmetrical (download and upload) to ESIS members connected by fiber.

The funding application – outlining the scope, costs as well as mapping, network data and other components – was compiled and presented to the CRTC in early 2020.

Detailed fiber planning, budgeting, ordering of supplies and materials and contracting of services can now commence. Contingent upon Approval to Construct permits being obtained from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MoTI), the construction and laying of fiber works will commence after receipt of the necessary materials later this year or early 2023.

The undertaking of FTTH in our area is complex and will be challenging but we are confident that ESIS has the expertise, determination and enthusiasm to successfully complete the project. For those community areas not within our present FTTH area mandate, we will continue to upgrade our wireless network connectivity as well as seek further project funding so that fiber can be brought to these areas as well. We appreciate the support and patience the community has provided us over the years and look forward to implementing the proposed improvements.

If anyone wishes to actively participate in ESIS Board functions and assist us with governance and administrative oversight, please contact the ESIS office. The position of Board Secretary is presently vacant.