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The "Ontario's Far North Study: Broadband Best Practices in Fort Severn and Big Trout Lake" report is the third in a series of cross Canada case studies, commissioned by Industry Canada's Broadband Office, examining the benefits of broadband. This report is a collaborative effort between the Connect Ontario: Broadband Regional Access (COBRA) and the Broadband Office.

The "Ontario's Far North Study: Broadband Best Practices in Fort Severn and Big Trout Lake" is a comparative study that examines the best practices and benefits associated with the planning and implementation of broadband infrastructure in Fort Severn and Big Trout Lake. New jobs and new spending, improvements in health care, young people acquiring skills more easily, e-Banking, video conferencing for training and increases in the effectiveness of band management are only some of the benefits realized in the two broadband-served communities which this study documents.  You may access this study directly through the following link:
http://www.broadband.ic.gc.ca/pub/program/case_studies/ontario/index.html

Click here to read the entire report (PDF - 234KB)

Executive Summary

Fort Severn and Big Trout Lake have gained experience in broadband that other communities can benefit from. Best practices identified include the following:

1. Clear and far-reaching vision
2. Strategic planning
3. Effective leadership
4. Community engagement
5. Local control
6. Cost-effective infrastructure
7. Technical innovation
8. Creation of informed users
9. On-line services
10. Performance measurement and sustainability.

Both communities developed a clear and far-reaching vision and engaged in the planning and execution of effective implementation strategies. Residents of both communities were fully engaged in the planning and execution of their broadband systems and these systems are now owned locally and provide reliable service. Users are well-informed about the capabilities.

These and the other best practices identified, have led to significant benefits for each community. The benefits include advances in health care for residents, the availability of videoconferencing, better access to research, improved training opportunities and reductions in outlays for air travel.

The Guinness World Records Ltd issued a Certificate stating:

The 'Wapusk Trail" road
(752 km (467 miles) in length)
constructed each year between
Gillam, Manitoba, and Peawanuk,
Ontario, Canada,
is thought to be the longest
seasonal winter road
in the world

signed by: Keeper of the Records, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS LTD