A conference on broadband access is being held this week in North Bay.

The inaugural Three day Canadian Rural and Remote Broadband Conference wraps up Thursday at The Best Western.

The well attended conference is taking place to provide awareness on some of the challenges faced by people in rural and remote areas.

Founder of the conference Amedeo Bernardi says the event is sold out.

“It underscores the importance that everybody feels about this. I believe people will go out into their networks and spread the word. Will it make it better? Hopefully, given the level of federal funders that are here they’re getting a message too,” he says.

In attendance as well were rural municipal representatives and service providers.

Bernardi says getting reliable broadband is a major issue in rural Canada that needs to be addressed.

“Let’s bring everyone together including the service providers, the incumbents, municipalities are represented here, First Nations and all levels of government. Let’s get them all here in one room and let them talk to each other,” Bernardi says.

He says the speakers, the vendors and attendees from across the country have flooded to North Bay and that’s an indication of the seriousness of the issue.

(photo taken by station staff)

Filed under: Amedeo Bernardi, broadband conference