- - Joint venture formed with two leading
companies owned by Manitoba First Nations - -
TSXV:DUG │OTCQX:DSTFF
TREATY ONE TERRITORY, WINNIPEG,
July 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Distinct
Infrastructure Group Inc. ("DIG") (TSXV:DUG) today announced the
formation of a joint venture partnership with Clear Sky Connections
Inc. (CSC) and Broadband Communications North Inc. (BCN) to bring
high speed internet to First Nations and surrounding communities in
Manitoba.
The joint venture, called Clear Sky Indigenous Network, was
formed to submit a proposal to Innovation, Science and Economic
Development Canada for the design, engineering, construction and
maintenance of the proposed Manitoba Backbone Network. The project,
part of the federal government's Connect to Innovate program, will
bring affordable, reliable high speed internet to 28 communities
across Manitoba.
Under the joint venture agreement, DIG and its wholly owned
subsidiary, Crown Utilities, will design and engineer the project
in conjunction with Manitoba Hydro, and will perform all
construction, maintenance and testing work between Manitoba Hydro's
fibre backbone and the 28 communities to be served. CSC will
act as the project developer, while BCN will be the internet
service provider, and will undertake 'last mile' construction and
connection to individual customers.
The project is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this
year, and be completed in December
2021. The first phase of the project will require
approximately 2250 kilometers of fibre optic cable to be
deployed.
"This project demonstrates the potential revenue synergies
between Crown Utilities and DIG," said Joe
Lanni, DIG's Co-CEO. "It is a strategic milestone for us,
and we're especially proud to partner with two such respected
organizations on a proposal to build sustainable, economical, and
Indigenous-owned telecommunications infrastructure for communities
across Manitoba."
"This partnership is exactly the kind of initiative we foresaw
when we acquired Crown Utilities last year," said Alex Agius, DIG's Co-CEO. "We are pleased that
the training of our new team members will take place right here in
Manitoba as we build not only a
fiber network, but a well-trained and sustainably-employed
workforce."
About Distinct Infrastructure Group:
Distinct Infrastructure Group Inc. is a 100% Canadian-owned and
operated firm providing design, engineering, construction and
maintenance services to telecommunication firms, utilities and
governments. Our service offerings include the design, engineering
and delivery of underground and aerial construction, as well as
inventory management and technical services.
Our mission is to be responsive to the current and future needs
of our clients by delivering safe, turnkey solutions that
positively impact the communities in which we live and work. We
work wherever our clients need us, from our bases in Toronto and Winnipeg.
About Clear Sky Communications
Clear Sky Communications (CSC) is the largest Indigenous-owned
telecommunications network in Canada implementing high-speed internet
connectivity which will deploy thousands of kilometers of fiber
optic cable into all Manitoba First Nations (MFNs).
About Broadband Communications North
Broadband Communications North (BCN) was incorporated in 2002 as
a not-for-profit community driven network which initially targeted
28 un-served and underserved communities with broadband issues in
Manitoba. Since then BCN has been actively improving and
expanding its network to serve more communities to facilitate
equitable high-speed broadband. BCN now services over 50
rural, northern and remote communities in Manitoba.
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from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
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be consistent with these forward-looking statements and Distinct
assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking
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SOURCE Distinct Infrastructure Group Inc.