Internet services today touch so many aspects of our lives. Some of these we can touch and feel every day and others are ticking away in the background; supporting education, healthcare, business, entertainment and the list just keeps going on and on. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) recently identified quality Internet as a basic service that all Canadians should have access to including rural communities. They did this because it simply isn’t that way outside of major urban centres and it should be. Thankfully, this is not something we need to worry about in Olds today or for decades to come.

The Olds Community Wi-Fi Network (O-NET Public) provides convenient and free connectivity for some many. O-NET Public WiFi gives our residents and visitors access to quality Internet services from 145 hotspots throughout the town of Olds. If you’re enjoying a meal at a restaurant, killing time in a waiting room or coming from out-of-town to complete a homework assignment, we have you covered!

We are excited to announce that we are going green throughout the green spaces in Olds. This Spring, O-NET will be deploying solar powered Wi-Fi hotspots to our parks, sporting fields and other green spaces around town. This venture wouldn’t have been possible without grant funding support from the Province of Alberta and the Town of Olds, and has involved input from several local companies. From design to installation, this is a truly made in Olds project.

The Olds Community Wi-Fi network is a joint community effort. These services are provided with the support of O-NET, Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development, Mountain View Power, Olds Hospital Fundraising Committee and Hildebrand Motors. This is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together in support of a greater community.

2,600 people connect to O-NET Public every day, why not get out of the house and experience life at your speed!