The Town of Okotoks along with the Calgary Regional Partnership are looking into ways communities can be better connected to the internet, and not just for personal use, but in a business approach.

The CRP will be going through a broadband investigation highlighting the use of fibre optic internet options.

Economic Development Manager Shane Olson says the broadband investigation will help find suitable ways to create better connectivity to all aspects of economic growth.

"It will look at private sector operation verses municipally owned fibre and it will look at co-operative models," he says. "It's going to be huge for economic development in terms of future-proofing our community and enhancing our economic prosperity."

Olson says a faster internet connection is always more beneficial to local businesses and is almost like any other utility you pay for now.

"Canada is lagging to some extent when it comes to connectivity and it's the whole idea of thinking of fibre as a public utility perhaps or thinking of it as a key infrastructure that any community would require just like roads, water or sewer."

Olson says in a growing age of technology,  numerous businesses, whether it's the Town or someone else, being able to communicate and share data is crucial for growth.

"Having symmetrical upload and download speeds is going to be crucial so the whole idea is how do we get those speeds faster, and at a lower cost for both our homeowners and residences," he says.

"That's why Okotoks is participating along with the provincial government who has invested in this project."

The CRP Broadband Working Group are currently researching the trends, alternative technologies and the evolving telecom industry.

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