A local company is applauding the federal government’s recent Universal Broadband Fund that will provide billions of dollars to help expand broadband services.

Joe Hickey is the President and CEO of ROCK Networks, which provides local broadband solutions to rural areas. He says there are two aspects of the broadband fund that will impact the province.

One is The Rapid Response, which involves $150-million of the $1.7-billion set aside for projects that are “shovel ready.” Successful applications are valued at up to $5-million, due by January 15. He says they are looking at a few projects in this province to submit.

Ottawa will provide up to 75 per cent of the capital cost of building a network. The other is $750-million set aside for “large projects.” Hickey says they are also looking at making submissions by the deadline of February 15.

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