The following is a thumb nail sketch of the internet access options we are aware of as of January 1st, 2012.  It is important to note this is not an endorsement of any one solution…just a quick review of what we know about.

 Currently available today (01-January-2012)

There are 4 basic internet options in order of slowest to fastest:

1.    Dialup..best described as painfully slow.

 2.    Satellite:

·         Somewhat location dependant in that you need to be able to “see” the satellite; i.e., can be blocked by trees or buildings

·         Speeds are typically in the 1 megabit per second range download which is about 40 times faster than dialup

·         Experience has shown fairly steady service and not unduly impacted by weather

 3.    Wireless:

·         Highland Internet Services is now up and operational – “most of Marina Bay, Minden Bay, Wolf Creek and the south shore all have access now, with work continuing throughout the winter to expand to the north shore, to the islands, and up into Fletcher Bay” (credit to Old Mill Marina newsletter).

·         Speed is 1.5 megabit per second

 4.    “Speed Sticks”:

·         Cell Phone based technology such as the Bell, Rogers and TELUS (plus others ?) speed sticks which can enable a single desktop or laptop computer to connect to the internet.

·         Very location dependant as cell phone coverage is required; i.e., this will not work without cell phone coverage.

·         Speeds are typically in the 2 to 7 mega bit per second range

 5.    “Turbo / Rocket  Hubs” plus antenna and amplifier:

·         This is a variation on the “speed stick” theme:

·         Based upon cell phone technology so the speeds are the same

·         The antenna and amplified boost signal strength to enable “just out of cell phone range” locations to connect.

·         Multiple computers can be connected at the same time.

Future Solutions

There are three future solutions we are tracking:

1.    “Wireless” solution based at the marina end of the lake (Highland Internet services);

2.    There is another wireless based venture starting in the Oxtongue lake area and their timelines and coverage area are yet to be determined.

3.    Federal and Provincial  government  funded ($ 100 million) project to deliver high speed to all rural homes in Eastern Ontario:

·         First phase is to establish a high speed back bone infrastructure.

·         Second phase is to deliver the “last mile’ connection to consumers.

·         A variety of technologies will be used to complete the “last mile” to the end consumer…satellite, wireless and phone line depending on the topography.

·         Speeds will depend upon the last mile technology.

·         We will not see anything in the Dorset area before September 2013.