Long Plain First Nation is pleased to announce a partnership with Mage Networks out of Calgary, Alberta, for the implementation of high-speed fibre optic internet in the community.

Chief Dennis Meeches elaborates on the infrastructure that will connect over 400 residents, with work beginning this month.

"We are expecting to have the infrastructure up for those that wish to upgrade to this new network," says Meeches. "We'll have everything completed by the end of May, for sure. So, it's quite exciting."

Meeches says Wi-Fi has been one of the major concerns for Long Plain residents, seeing as it's vital during a pandemic for shopping, school, banking and a host of
other needs.

"The other concern we have out there is with MTS regarding our cell phone coverage," adds Meeches. "So, we need a major upgrade on that, also. We're investing a lot in our infrastructure."

He explains all of this effort includes a partnership with the Hutterite Broadband Network.

Meeches explains the technology that is involved.

"We have what they call a mesh network, where we'll be able to provide good Wi-Fi coverage throughout the community through this MagiNet technology," notes Meeches. "The fibre optic actually runs from our arena all the way to the crossing. Then we have about 20 high points receivers and they just bounce off with one another. I think it's going to be quite exciting. Our MagiNet technology is perfectly suited to a project like this one at Long Plain First Nation."

Meeches notes this will create a data pipeline that can provide access to each residence on the Nation without the need for and cost associated with fibre installation to each building. The network will use data pipelines in a series of short hops, where the locations are strategically selected to distribute the data from central locations.

He says this technology has been used in Canada for some time. However, Meeches notes, it's Manitoba's first experience with MagiNet.

The internet access will provide over 400 residents with internet speeds, both up and down, at 100 mbps.