May 14, 2002

Premier Gary Doer announced today that the government’s Provincial Data Network (PDN) will be upgraded to enhance broadband access for hospitals and provincial government buildings and serve as a catalyst for the future expansion of high-speed telecommunications to rural and Northern Manitoba.

"This announcement is an investment in the future that lays the foundation for the eventual delivery of broadband services to rural communities" said Doer. "Since the development of high-tech industry and opportunities are not dependent on geography, it is critical that Manitoba encourages the required investments in infrastructure to allow all of our communities to be competitive."

To support the distribution of broadband infrastructure to rural communities, the province is upgrading its provincial data network which serves provincial government offices and hospitals. The upgrade will utilize the latest technology, designed to handle up to 100 mega-bytes per second of data, voice and video traffic. In total, this initiative will provide broadband capabilities to 85 communities with hospitals or government offices.

The upgrade will improve the government's ability to transfer data and images and will provide greater opportunities for telecommunications services such as video-conferencing.

The initiative will also enhance the government's ability to deliver existing health programs including:

• Telehealth: an initiative that allows doctors and patients in northern and rural Manitoba to access clinical specialists through video-conferencing capabilities;
• Oncology Outpatient: an application used by Cancer Care Manitoba to facilitate treatment in rural and northern communities; and
• Drug Program Information Network - Emergency Rooms: a program designed to help emergency room doctors identify potential adverse drug reactions for patients.

To facilitate the upgrade, three contracts, worth a total of $47.4 million over five years, for upgrading and expanding the capacity of the Provincial Data Network were tendered and have been awarded to Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS). The average annual costs for the contract are $9.48 million which is comparable to the projected annual costs associated with an expanded network under the previous contract. This new network design allows for the potential future expansion into schools and libraries.

"We are delighted to work with the provincial government to provide new, state-of-the-art broadband data services that can interconnect government offices and hospitals across the province at speeds up to 35 times faster than the current network," said MTS President and CEO Bill Fraser. "Our people have gained tremendous expertise in delivering these services after having launched our DSL high-speed Internet in 34 rural communities as part of our $300 million Next Generation Services initiative to bring high-speed Internet to 85 per cent of Manitobans by the end of 2003."

The announcement was made at the Telehealth video-conference facility at the Health Sciences Centre, one of 23 Telehealth sites across the province that utilize the PDN to deliver health services to Manitobans.

Other Telehealth sites include Churchill, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Gillam, Killarney, Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake, Pine Falls, Russell, Ashern, Berens River First Nation, Steinbach, Swan River, Brandon, Thompson, The Pas and the recently opened site in Selkirk. Sites have also been established at Boundary Trails Hospital, the St. Boniface General Hospital and the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. All Manitoba regional health authorities have joined the Manitoba Telehealth Network.

"Today’s announcement represents our government’s commitment to enhancing Manitoba’s network infrastructure," said Doer. "We recognize that providing a solid infrastructure lays the foundation for our long-term economic well-being and the future of our province. We are pleased to be able to work with MTS in connecting government offices and improving service delivery in rural and northern Manitoba."

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