Link to original article

The provincial government will announce today a $10-million loan guarantee to help Barrett Xplore Inc. cover capital costs and construction expenses for a high-speed Internet project geared at the province's rural regions.

The Woodstock-based company is in the midst of fulfilling a government contract to provide broadband to the remaining 10 per cent of New Brunswick residents who do not currently have access, and is expected to finish work by July, 2010.

Premier Shawn Graham - while participating in an expansion announcement at Imperial Manufacturing Group's Richibucto facility Monday - said he would be in Fredericton this morning to talk about the government's hand in helping create 100 jobs for the infrastructure project.

The government anticipates another 100 indirect jobs are being created through new installers and dealers in communities across the province.

"Tomorrow we're going to be in Fredericton. There's going to be a job announcement for 200 new jobs across the province providing high-speed Internet access," Graham said, adding that in Kent County, work already started through Digi-Sol Technologies Inc. to fulfill the Barett Xplore contract has meant a number of new jobs to date.

Graham will be joined by Jack Keir, acting minister of business New Brunswick, and Fredericton-Silverwood MLA Rick Miles at the morning press conference today.

The Liberal government is spending $13 million to ensure the entire province has high-speed Internet access by mid-2010.

Graham announced in February the government would partner with Barrett Xplore to make New Brunswick the only jurisdiction in North America to offer 100-per-cent coverage.

The firm is expanding high-speed access using mostly wireless technology, while satellite service will be offered in the most remote areas.

Ed Barrett, chairman of Barrett Xplore, has pledged to provide rural New Brunswickers with a fair fee for their high-speed service.

He told the Telegraph-Journal last year that high-speed Internet has become an essential service.

"Broadband communication is, and is going to be more so, critical infrastructure throughout the country and throughout the world.

"It will not be acceptable in future years, and some would say it's not acceptable today, to not have access to broadband, regardless of where you live or where your business is," Barrett said.