Canada can take a “broadband” lesson from Sweden
When it comes to broadband, Sweden gives a whole new meaning to the expression “taking ownership.”For in that country broadband users are also its owners.
It’s like assuming a mortgage, says Bill St. Arnaud, senior director for advanced networks at Ottawa-based Canarie Inc. “[Swedish] homeowners can purchase last mile infrastructure for an equivalent of US$20 a month.”
Canarie is a non-profit organization that promotes advanced Internet development in Canada. It seeks to foster widespread adoption of faster, more efficient networks, as well as innovative products, applications and services to run on these networks.
That’s quite a daunting goal, considering how far behind many Canadian cities are when it comes to hi-tech infrastructure and services. WiFi services in Toronto are currently among the most expensive in the world, St. Arnaud says, adding that we would do better if we took a page from the Swedes.
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[tags]broadband, canada, wi-fi, sweden[/tags]