🚀 Big changes in #Olds! The town is selling its community-owned O-NET fibre service to Telus, but the $18M debt still looms 💸💻 What does this mean for local internet users? Get all the details 👇
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Town of Olds Selling Its Fibre Optic Internet, Phone, TV Service to Telus
The decision of the Town of Olds to sell its community-owned fibre optic internet service, O-NET, to Telus Communications is a pivotal moment in the town’s telecommunications history. With an $18 million debt burden hanging over the project, the sale signals the end of a bold experiment in municipally-driven infrastructure development. While this transition marks a shift toward corporate control, it opens new questions about community ownership, fiscal responsibility, and the future of local connectivity.
A Bold Beginning with Lofty Aspirations
O-NET wasn’t just a local internet provider—it was a trailblazer. Launched over a decade ago by a group of committed volunteers from the Olds Institute, O-NET made national headlines in 2013 as Canada’s first community-owned fibre-to-the-home provider. In an era when access to high-speed internet was limited in many parts of the country, Olds set out to fix that problem for itself.
O-NET’s birth was fueled by frustrations shared by both local residents and businesses. The service was designed to provide lightning-fast internet, phone, and TV services through cutting-edge fibre optic technology. It was the kind of grassroots initiative that stood in stark contrast to the impersonal telecommunications giants that dominate much of Canada's digital landscape. At its peak, O-NET symbolized the potential for small communities to take their digital futures into their own hands.
However, even the most idealistic ventures can face hard economic realities, and O-NET’s story took a turn as the mounting costs of maintaining and upgrading the network became overwhelming.
Financial Troubles: The Weight of Debt
The $18 million debt that the Town of Olds now carries as a result of O-NET is substantial and has been a major point of concern for local leaders. This includes a $14 million consolidated loan and a $4 million line of credit. The community's initial ambitions of providing gigabit internet service clashed with the financial pressures of maintaining such an advanced network.
It's important to remember that the infrastructure O-NET put in place wasn’t just a luxury—high-speed internet has become essential for everything from education to business growth. However, when a small town attempts to build and maintain infrastructure on par with major cities, the financial risks are significant. Town Chief Administrative Officer Brent Williams highlighted that the town simply couldn’t keep up with the costs required to remain competitive in the telecommunications market while maintaining a high quality of service for O-NET customers.
The decision to sell the service to Telus, one of Canada’s largest telecom companies, may have been inevitable, but it carries its own set of implications for the town’s future.
The Impact of the Sale: What’s Next for Olds?
There are two sides to this sale. On the one hand, Telus’ acquisition of O-NET brings financial relief—at least to a degree. However, the sale price will not fully cover the $18 million debt, and local taxpayers are left wondering how the remaining financial burden will be managed. The precise terms of the sale remain confidential, at least until the release of the 2024 financial statements.
The other side of the equation is Telus’ promise of bringing its PureFibre network to the community. In Telus’ official statement, they express excitement about integrating O-NET’s operations into their own and maintaining local jobs by absorbing O-NET’s employees. This seems like a win for continuity, but what about the initial vision of local ownership?
Telus will undoubtedly bring greater resources, stability, and a wider array of services to Olds, but the transition may feel like a loss for those who were proud of the town’s unique status as a self-sufficient provider of world-class internet. The sense of pride that comes with community-led initiatives is irreplaceable, and for some, the corporate takeover of a project built by the people for the people could feel like a concession to the pressures of big business.
Community Voices: Public Forum and Next Steps
The upcoming public meeting on November 5th is a critical moment for the residents of Olds to voice their opinions and concerns about this transaction. This meeting will provide a platform for those who feel strongly about the future of telecommunications in their town. However, it's important to note that only those who submit written submissions and register in advance will have the opportunity to speak.
For those who have been invested in O-NET’s journey, this meeting may feel like one final chance to engage with the process. Will the community embrace Telus, or will there be lingering concerns about the loss of local control? Will the Town of Olds be able to navigate the remaining debt successfully, or will further financial issues emerge?
The Broader Implications
O-NET’s sale is not just about one town selling its internet service—it speaks to the broader issue of community versus corporate control in critical infrastructure. Across Canada and beyond, local governments are wrestling with whether to build their own networks or rely on large telecommunications companies. The Olds experiment will likely serve as a case study for other small towns considering similar projects.
One has to wonder if the future of rural internet access will always rely on the likes of Telus, or if there’s still room for small, innovative ventures like O-NET to thrive. While this sale might represent a pragmatic decision for Olds, it also hints at the growing challenges that community-driven services face in an increasingly corporatized world.
Your Thoughts?
This sale raises many questions about the future of internet access, community-led infrastructure projects, and the balance between financial sustainability and local ownership. What do you think about Olds’ decision to sell O-NET? Do you believe that corporate ownership of such services is inevitable, or is there still space for communities to innovate on their own?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—join the conversation on our Facebook or Twitter page and let us know your opinion!