Changes to the Local Government Act will help to improve access to highspeed internet service in rural communities.
Regional Districts will now be able to provide financing to internet service providers to expand to areas that may not make financial sense otherwise.
This is done by changing the wording of the Act to qualify highspeed internet as a basic service.
Under the Act, Regional Districts are barred from aiding businesses, but their are exceptions for services considered to be essential.
Highspeed internet is defined as having a minimum download speed of 50 megabits per second, and an upload speed of 10 megabits per second.
