Killarney Guide

RFNow of Virden to install service access to both town and rural residents of Killarney-Turtle Mountain

BY KIM LANGEN

Fibre internet is set to be embedded throughout the entire municipality.

And the initial cost of joining onto the circuit is to be covered by both a financial contribution from the municipality, and from the company provider, RFNow, itself.

Chris Kennedy, chief operating officer (COO) for RFNow, a fibre internet company based in Virden, attended the regular council meeting held on Wednesday, October 26, to sign off on the deal.

“This is part of a three-year financial investment by the municipality, and the initial connection fee will be free, thanks to capital funding by the municipality of $325,000,” said Meghan Cuvelier Klassen, chief administrative officer for the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain. “We will be providing $125,000 the first year, $100,000 the second year, and $100,000 in the third year. This means that fibre internet will become available to everyone in the municipality, all the way to the border.”

Kennedy explained that RFNow, a company established in 2000, will be taking up the financial slack for the initial connection fee.

“We are committed up to $2 million in costs, in running the fibre to residents in the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain,” he said. “The normal install fee would be $700 and upwards, depending on the distance of a homeowner to the fibre network, such as a farm lane. And we will be helping to cover this cost. Why would we do this? It’s a great idea, because it means we will have customers for many years to come, and their monthly fees will generate revenue for us. It’s a positive partnership for both parties.”

Kennedy added that the service included a minimum of 300 Mbps, meaning a serious amount of connectivity for the ratepayer. The monthly usage fee for this package would run around $140, he said.

Sign up efforts will begin this fall by RFNow for the upcoming new service, he said.

FIBRE INTERNET DEAL AND COUNCIL CHANGE – Wednesday, October 26, was the last day in office for Mayor Merv Tweed (front, right), and long-serving councillors Connie Blixhavn (third from right, rear) and Randy Hodge (second from right, rear). Seating for a signing agreement is Chris Kennedy, COO of RFNow, a fibre internet company who will be laying cable for both the town and rural areas of the municipality. On his left is incoming mayor, councillor Janice Smith, and above (from left) are councillors Greg Ericson, Joan Kemp, and (far right) Gary King.