Information Highway Accord

On October 17th the Provincial Government launched the Electronic Highway Accord, a major government/private sector partnership aimed at developing British Columbia's information infrastructure. Partners in the Electronic Highway Accord include communities, universities, schools, researchers, labour and industry. Telecommunication and information technology companies such as BC Tel are key players in the Accord.

According to the B.C. Government the Accord is:

• an agreement to ensure the new information technologies are available in all British Columbia communities;
• a partnership to help all British Columbians get on-line;
• a plan for managing the development of the electronic highway in British Columbia.

The Accord has an ambitious work plan which includes:

• Making Internet connections available at reasonable cost across the province
• Extending advanced telecom service to 170 B.C. communities by 1999, and ensuring the service can meet demand
• Increasing the number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in rural areasImplementing the Provincial Learning Network linking all schools, libraries, post-secondary institutes and learning agencies
• Encouraging the development of Freenets and community networks
• Increasing the number of information technology sector and knowledge-based businesses and jobs
• Enhancing the level of computer literacy, comfort and skills in B.C.