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By rdnewsNOW staff

Universal Broadband Fund

Rural communities set to gain high-speed internet across central Alberta

Jan 30, 2026 | 4:27 PM

The Governments of Alberta and Canada announced today plans to expand high-speed internet to more communities across the province, including several in central Alberta.

A total of 27 projects have been announced under the Universal Broadband Fund, totalling over $373 million. The federal government will contribute nearly $137 million, the province will pitch in $112 million, and service provider partners will spend $124 million.

Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development) for the Government of Canada, said, in this day and age, everyone in Alberta should have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet.

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone, and investments like these make a real difference in people’s lives, creating jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping us connected to our loved ones,” Belanger added.

Missing Link Inc. will contribute approximately $24.4 million to connect 1,559 households to 19 communities, including Sylvan Lake and Bentley.

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Meantime, Xplore will allocate $13.5 million for fixed wireless internet services in 19,689 households in several communities, including Bentley, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Didsbury, Innisfail, Norglenwold, Olds, Penhold, Ponoka, and Rimbey, among several others.

These communities should be connected by either December 2026 or March 2027.

“When we launched our broadband strategy, we set an ambitious goal: ensure every Albertan – no matter where they are in the province – has access to reliable, high-speed internet,” said Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation for the Government of Alberta, in a media release. This latest batch of projects brings Alberta to over 95 per cent of our goal and it shows just how far we’ve come. We are following through on our commitment to universal connectivity, and as more homes are identified, we will keep pushing until the job is done.”

For the full list of communities, visit the Government of Canada website.