Annual Report 2011
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2010 Annual Report Application Infrastructure Education & Awareness NEOnet 2010 Annual Report Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR........................................................................................................... 2 CORPORATE PROFILE....................................................................................................................... 3 MANDATE .............................................................................................................................................. 4 REGIONAL PROFILE ............................................................................................................................... 5 CATCHMENT AREA................................................................................................................................ 6 NEONET TEAM...................................................................................................................................... 7 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART..................................................................................................................... 7 STAFF MEMBERS ................................................................................................................................... 8 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ........................................................................................................................ 10 PROJECTS ............................................................................................................................................ 11 CELLULAR EXPANSION PROJECT......................................................................................................... 11 WIRELESS HOTSPOTS PROJECT ........................................................................................................... 15 CRTC PUBLIC HEARINGS IN TIMMINS ................................................................................................ 17 GAP ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................... 21 SENIORS COMPUTER TRAINING PART II.............................................................................................. 23 SME TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION AND ADOPTION SURVEY ................................................................ 24 ICT EDUCATION & AWARENESS......................................................................................................... 25 VISION FOR 2011 AND BEYOND..................................................................................................... 27 NEONET MEMBERS........................................................................................................................... 29 NEONET PARTNERS.......................................................................................................................... 30 2010 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1 NEOnet 2010 Annual Report Message from the Chair 2010 was a “make it happen” year. NEOnet and it’s many project partners continued to work diligently to move projects forward, ensure projects stayed on schedule and on budget and secure support and funding for exciting new initiatives. There is a lot to be proud of, the below highlights a few of NEOnet’s major achievements in 2010. The beginning of the year marked the completion of the Ontera, NOHFC and FedNor supported Timiskaming and Gogama-Foleyet Area Broadband Project that brought 18 North Eastern Ontario communities access to high-speed Internet. In the fall with strong leadership from NorthernTel, 74 wireless Internet access points went live in 14 North Eastern Ontario communities. NOHFC, NorthernTel and Ontera continued to advocate for better telecommunications services in the region demonstrated by their strong commitment to the Cellular Expansion Project. Ontera worked diligently to ensure compatibility of the Moosonee tower with any network and NorthernTel worked vigorously to ensure three cellular sites were live by the end this year. The remaining six cellular site locations remain on target to be completed by the end of 2011. When the CRTC held their ‘Obligation to Serve and Other Matters’ hearings in Timmins this fall NEOnet was front and center. NEOnet’s presentation to the commission received a lot of attention from the Chairman and panel, the media and generated support from all the major telecommunication companies. Working with all the Internet Service Providers in the region NEOnet completed a comprehensive Gap Analysis study. Using Google Earth NEOnet can get down to a street view level to understand where high-speed Internet is available and therefore easily identify where gaps in service remain. This year NEOnet also established a presence on Facebook, developed five industry specific ICT newsletters, revived the Tech Break Time luncheons, completed a Regional ICT Small Business survey, facilitated numerous seminars and attended several conferences and roundtable discussions. It is NEOnet’s desire and intention to continue as the ICT champion for North Eastern Ontario, not just in 2011, but well beyond. NEOnet has developed a strong set of deliverables that the organization is committed to achieving over the next few years to ensure the continued advancement of ICT, resulting in new economic and community development opportunities throughout the region. NEOnet is proud of all that was accomplished in 2010 and would like to recognize all those individuals, organizations and businesses that were involved. On behalf of the Board and Staff, as well as the thousands of residents of North Eastern Ontario I would like to thank you for the continued support. Sincerely, Denis Bérubé 2 NEOnet 2010 Annual Report Corporate Profile North Eastern Ontario Communications Network Inc. (NEOnet) is a not-for-profit telecommunications organization that works with the public and private sectors on projects and initiatives that will improve available information and communication technology (ICT) access throughout the region. NEOnet is a nationally recognized model organization that has been the regional ICT advocate for the past 10 years. The organization was founded on the premise that ICT business cases are most sustainable when they are founded on market-driven principles, even if public sector support is necessary to offset capital expenditures. Given the geographical make-up of North Eastern Ontario an ICT champion such as NEOnet is vital to ensure the residents of the area have the same access to readily available services as in other regions across the country. The organization's strengths include: a positive reputation and relationship with the public, stakeholders, private sector and funding agencies; a comprehensive understanding of the current ICT environment and sector; dynamic and dedicated board members who act as a valuable resource and offer continuous support; project management expertise; strong regional perspective and partners; and a passionate and innovative staff. Over the past decade NEOnet has surpassed expectations and assisted in dramatically improving the ICT environment and significantly reducing the digital divide that existed between northern and southern Ontario. An organization such as NEOnet is key for the continued development of communication technologies throughout the region. Adoption and application of the more readily available ICT services requires knowledge that many residents do not have. Education and awareness initiatives and programs are imperative to ensure residents and small businesses have the tools necessary to participate in today’s digital economy. 3 NEOnet 2010 Annual Report Mandate NEOnet has a mandate to promote and develop the three pillars of the ICT sector: Infrastructure Enhancement, Education and Awareness, and Application. In more detail the mandate of the organization is to facilitate private and public sector partnerships that will result in improved telecommunications infrastructure and ICT-related services in the region; to increase awareness and adoption of technology, therefore increasing demand for services and fostering a more competitive ICT environment; and to promote and encourage the development and innovative application of technologies to further economic, community and social development in North Eastern Ontario. NEOnet’s approach to large-scale project management echoes its mandate: it works with stakeholders to develop applications, awareness and infrastructure concurrently, so that funded projects are sustainable and encourage competition. NEOnet is recognized as a model organization that has been the regional information and communications technology leader for over a decade. The organization is proud of its accomplishments but realizes there is still more work to be done. 4 NEOnet 2010 Annual Report Regional Profile NEOnet has built strong relationships with other regional Community Based Networks (CBN), specifically the Muskoka Community Network in Huntsville, Ontario and Blue Sky Network in North Bay, Ontario. The organization consistently communicates with these CBNs to discuss current and future projects, share ideas and strengthen ICT initiatives. Government agencies such as FedNor , NOHFC and telecommunication companies including NorthernTel and Ontera offer the organization their support, knowledge, leadership and innovative solutions to many NEOnet projects and initiatives. NEOnet also works in partnership with over 150 municipalities, healthcare organizations, small and medium sized businesses, residents,