About Us

Vision

The Valley Community Fibre Network was initiated by the Kings County Technology Committee during the 2004-2005 fiscal year.  One of the largest projects ever undertaken by the Kings Community Economic Development Agency, the VCFN is a community-owned and operated 186 km stretch of 72 strand fibre optic network that follows Highway One, connecting Halifax with Middleton and multiple partners along the route.

The vision for this network is to connect communities - both geographic locations and communities of interest.  The local communities own the infrastructure and will be able to direct its use to benefit residents.  The infrastructure will open high speed global connections, encourage retention of business and people, act as a draw for high technology business, give the schools access to global expertise through on-line learning and videoconferencing and improve public services.  A board has also been established to govern the network, making policy decisions. 

The VCFN opens high speed global connections, encourages retention of business and people, acts as a draw for high tech business, gives the schools access to global expertise through on-line learning and videoconferencing and improve public services.

The Valley Community Fibre Network Board consists of the following founding members:  

• The Municipality of the County of Kings
• The Municipality of the District of West Hants
• The Town of Wolfville
• The Town of Windsor
• The Town of Hantsport
• The Town of Berwick
• The Nova Scotia Community College
• Acadia University

VCFN funding came from a partnership of all levels of government and educational institutions:

• CANARIE Inc.
• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
• Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development
• ACORN-NS
• Kings CED Agency 
• All founding members listed above

The network terminates at Dalhousie University CA*Net4 Point of Presence (POP) at the eastern end and the Nova Scotia Community College Annapolis Campus in Middleton, at the western end.   The western end can interconnect with the FUNDYweb Broadband Network.

In addition to access to numerous research networks, the Dalhousie POP offers connections to several commercial Internet and data-communications service providers. Using wavelength division multiplexing equipment and virtually unlimited bandwidth, the VCFN allows users to transmit sophisticated data securely at an incredible speed with significant cost savings.

The network offers high speed connectivity to the Valley Region’s public institutes, businesses and residents providing access to resources and solutions to stimulate innovation and facilitate business, economic and social growth.

Benefits of the Valley Community Fibre Network include:

• Affordable, high-speed data and voice communications
• Improved access to knowledge and educational opportunities including distance learning between sites
• Health care opportunities such as point to point data communications, access to research networks and video conferencing
• Attraction, retention and growth of IT intensive businesses as well as new communication and service providers
• Interconnection of municipal units

Valley Community Fibre Network