The challenge of not having fast, reliable internet service is a real frustration for many rural residents.

Shelley Haubrich and her husband ranch at Hodgeville and say it’s an issue they, like many others, have been dealing with for years.

She says a lot of government agencies have started putting application forms etc online to make it easier for producers but that only helps if you’ve got the internet access you need.

“When you have to deal with a lot of things online such as government programs, applying for your GST, trying to download Agri-Stability papers the speed just isn’t there. We pay for 25G but we get like 5, sometimes it’s just a little bit faster than what we use to have for dialup.”

She says now they’re looking into the concept of a community based co-operative internet service called Rural Networks.

Kris Haghian is with Rural Networks and says their goal is to bring urban like internet speed to rural Saskatchewan by having individuals in the area invest in the infrastructure which Rural Networks would provide, build and maintain.

Haubrich says they are going to hold another meeting and invite people from some of the surrounding towns to see if they would be interested.

The next meeting is set for there’s some interest in the pilot project and will be holding another meeting on April 9th 7:30 pm at the Community Hall.

More information on Rural Networks can be found here.