Ocean Falls : Communications
Telus Phone Service
Telus service is provided from the old Ocean Falls Telephone Exchange Building. Until recently, a dish on the old hotel roof caught and relayed microwave signals to a reflector on Caro Marion. This has now been replaced by direct transmission to a satellite. The service via satellite has so far been less than satisfactory, with various delays, echoes, and blank spots; very much like using a radio-telephone. Please see 2.5. Information Technology, below.
Because of the small number of subscribers and the remote location, the switching technology used in Ocean Falls does not provide Call Answer or Call Display features; Call Waiting is available.
VHF and other private radio
Communications between small boats, BC Ferries, bush crews and the like are generally carried out using VHF. Notable are Central Coast Power Corporation which keeps a number of portable hand held units, and Mike Crocker who has VHF capabilities at his home and in his vehicles. A number of other people in town have VHF units and typically monitor channel 6. There is very little use of CB because of limited range.
CBC Radio
CBC maintains a satellite dish for connection to the E2 satellite. CBC Radio One is rebroadcast locally at 92.1 FM. The CBC equipment shares space with the TV Society in the old Fire Hall.
Information Technology
A number of people in town own IBM compatible personal computers and some have Internet connections via BC Tel. The Central Coast Power Corporation has several PCs which are connected to the Internet. Most units are newer Pentium technology. The Internet connections are through Sympatico, AOL, proprietary networks, and possibly others. Uses are for business, personal banking and the like, and home entertainment.
A considerable amount of information transfer takes place by facsimile transmission over BC Tel.
The change of BC Tel from microwave to satellite has had a negative impact on access to the Internet and on FAX transmission. Internet accessibility appears to be reduced because of problems with address tables and the like which can probably be relatively easily fixed. Some of the problems may be related to timing issues in older Modems and FAX machines, and these problems could be more difficult to solve. Because much of the Internet and FAX traffic is business related, dependable telephone connections are very important to this community.
The OFID Board of Trustees recently decided to evaluate their computer needs, and a report & recommendations will be produced soon.
 back
|
