A regional internet service provider is making some upgrades in the Lloydminster area which will help provide better service in the future.
MCSnet is installing fiber in between the six wireless towers on the west and northwest sides of the city. The company bought the towers from a Marwayne company in 2008 and has since expanded the service.
“We try and pinpoint areas that maybe weren’t getting the best speeds and we’re trying to improve those speeds with the fiber to the towers,” Marketing Coordinator Rhonda Lafrance says.
The company is also upgrading the radios on the towers which communicates between the client and the company.
“We’re always looking for that CRTC goal of getting as much download speed and upload speed as possible. By installing fiber in between the towers we’re able to increase those speeds by quite a bit.”
She says while the upgrades have been in the works for a number of years, they’ve noticed the increased demand for internet speeds during the pandemic.
“People are relying on it more and more for things like home security, streaming tv and music and things like that. As the appetite for internet increases, we’re always trying to find ways to make rural internet the best it could be.”
MCSnet will be installing 500 km of fibre in different northeastern Alberta communities this summer.