A workshop was held January 26, 2002 to involve interested citizens of Revelstoke in the development of a fibre optics network for Revelstoke. Discussions focused on identifying the community benefits of having broadband access, the elements of a communications strategy, options for infrastructure roll out and developing a business case for the project.

Several tasks were identified for the City of Revelstoke's Fibre Optics Open Network Committee to complete in order to move forward with the development of this project.

• The project needs a relevant identity and 'catchy' name
• Determine a roll out plan to meet the needs of anchor tenants and options for a phased approach to deliver fibre access to the community.
• Develop a formal business case that would determine the scope of each phase of the project, how the network would be operated, ownership of the infrastructure, and financial plans.

Revelstoke is working in cooperation with a regional initiative - the Columbia Mountain Open Network (CMON) - to bring broadband communications to the Columbia Basin. One of the essential elements to delivering a high quality product at comparable prices to urban centres is the concept of aggregating demand. It is unlikely that Revelstoke, with a population of 8,500, would create sufficient demand to command equitable service rates. If our community were able to combine its demand with that of the whole 170,000 population of the Columbia Basin, then there is an increased likelihood of receiving equitable service rates.

However, Revelstoke will continue to give full consideration to both options — that of developing a network of our own as well as participating with the regional initiative.

Debra Wozniak/Jim Cook