FREDERICTON, NB,June 29 2006 --- The New Brunswick Broadband
Initiative has been completed, making the province one of the most
broadband-connected provinces and territories in Canada. The project, which
was originally set to be completed at the end of the year, was finished six
months ahead of schedule.
    A collaboration between the Government of Canada, the Government of New
Brunswick and Aliant Inc., the program has provided all regional health care
centres, business parks and First Nations communities, as well as most New
Brunswick residences and businesses, with access to high-speed Internet
service.
    "In today's global economy, it's important that businesses have access to
all the tools they need to thrive. By providing high-speed Internet access to
almost all businesses in the province, this initiative will go a long way in
contributing to their sustainability," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "In addition, thanks to
high-speed Internet access, most residents of New Brunswick will now be able
to access the health care services they need without travelling great
distances. This project is consistent with this government's commitment to
enhance the quality of life of Canadians."
    "New Brunswick is leading the way in providing the highest-quality
technology to its businesses, residents and its health care centres," said the
Honourable Bernard Lord, Premier of New Brunswick. "Increased broadband access
will help us achieve our Five in Five Initiative goal of becoming Canada's
'investment province' and increase the number of New Brunswickers with
post-secondary education."
    "Today underscores the tremendous power of partnership, and its ability
to keep this province and this region at the forefront of innovation," said
Heather Tulk, Vice President Residential Markets, Aliant. "Our joint
commitment in connecting New Brunswickers was built on more than simply the
technology that runs into your home or business. Together, we will continue to
foster endless opportunities to learn, to access information, and to deliver
new services. This opportunity - and this technology - ensures the highest
quality of service, value and convenience for our customers."
    The Government of Canada provided up to $16.5 million for this
infrastructure project, with the Government of New Brunswick investing
$12.5 million and Aliant $15.6 million. Installation and upgrades of broadband
equipment extended coverage to 327 communities throughout rural New Brunswick.
    The Government of Canada's contribution comes from the Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund, which supports large-scale projects of major national and
regional significance, in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth
and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians.
    The Government of Canada's 2006 Federal Budget committed an unprecedented
$16.5 billion over the next four years for provincial, territorial and
municipal infrastructure, including an additional $2 billion for the Canada
Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

    For more information on Infrastructure Canada and its programs, please
visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca. The Government
of New Brunswick website
can be found at http://www.gnb.ca. For more information on Aliant,
visit
www.aliant.ca.

    <<
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                                 Backgrounder
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                   Broadband Access in Rural New Brunswick
    >>

    On November 18, 2003, the Government of Canada, the Government of New
Brunswick and Aliant announced their commitment to a rural broadband
deployment project that would extend broadband access to 327 rural
communities.
    Under this agreement, the Government of Canada committed up to
$16.5 million, the Government of New Brunswick committed $12.5 million, and
Aliant invested $15.6 million. The total of this funding agreement was
$44.6 million.
    As a cornerstone to achieving the objectives set out in the Government of
New Brunswick's Prosperity Plan, enhancing the broadband infrastructure was
identified as a requirement for economic growth in the new economy. The
Government of New Brunswick allocated a portion of federal infrastructure
funding to aggressively deploy broadband capabilities to unserved, rural
communities. Through this innovative joint investment program, broadband
access became a reality of many communities throughout New Brunswick.

    Project Details

    The project extended availability of broadband services in rural New
Brunswick to 90% of residences, 95% of business lines, and 100 % of health
care centres and business parks. This initiative also brought the 15 First
Nations communities 100% broadband coverage.
    The remaining 10% of households in the province currently have access to
the Internet through dial-up. It is anticipated that they will be able to take
advantage of other technology options, such as two-way broadband satellite,
cable and other wireless services. Already, New Brunswick information
technology firms are assessing high-speed wireless alternatives specifically
for small communities.
    The project was designed to roll out in three phases, with completion of
the overall program by the end of 2006. The project has been successfully
completed ahead of schedule. Initial demand for the services delivered over
this broadband infrastructure has exceeded planning forecasts.
    The network is fully scalable to allow for future upgrades. All
interconnections between Aliant and third parties will use open standard
protocols, and the network will comply with the Government of Canada policy on
'Open Access,' which promotes a competitive market for broadband.
    Broadband services with a minimum standard level of 1.5 megabits per
second (mbps) download speed and 640 kilobits per second (kbps) upload speed
is provided over the new infrastructure. Access to Aliant's broadband network,
the Internet, and Internet service provider (ISP) services such as domain name
service, electronic mail, security applications, and entertainment services
are also available.

    Aliant

    In 2003, though a competitive Request for Proposal process, the Province
selected Aliant as their private-sector partner for the project. This
public-private investment allows for leveraging of the current infrastructure
as well as assuring a high quality of service.
    Aliant, as a telecommunications provider, has invested over $360 million
over the past several years towards broadband infrastructure and services
across Atlantic Canada. The project builds on Aliant's existing network and
broadband infrastructure to extend coverage and an affordable cost to rural
communities.

    For more information on Infrastructure Canada and its programs, please
visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca. The Government
of New Brunswick website
can be found at http://www.gnb.ca. For more information on Aliant,
visit
www.aliant.ca.



For further information: Natalie Sarafian, Press Secretary, Office of
the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, (613) 991-0700;
Sarah Ketcheson, Business New Brunswick, (506) 444-4983; Infrastructure
Canada, Communications and Promotion, (613) 948-1148; Isabelle Robinson,
Aliant Communications & Public Affairs, (866) 694-6762