Abstract

A successful exploration of the necessary conditions for e-government and constructing a “knowledge society” has begun at a theoretical and technical level, yet little empirical knowledge of how this phenomenon is actually being realized and thought about within specific Canadian communities presently exists. The Alberta SuperNet is a $295 million, high-speed broadband network designed to bring affordable high-capacity services to 429 communities across the province. A central purpose of the SuperNet is to create a modernized network for public service delivery. The SuperNet is a “precedent setting” case due to the scale of the project (in terms of the scope of its geographic coverage and number of connections being provided) and the dynamics of its business case (as a private/public partnership). Such characteristics make it an excellent case study for illuminating some of the wider practical and policy issues associated with government-funded technology infrastructure projects. In order to highlight some of key issues facing rural citizens in this context, we conducted a series of interviews with telecommunication experts and, based on their feedback, produced five scenarios for potential commercial applications of broadband in Albertan communities using the SuperNet. Deploying a focus group methodology we then presented these scenarios and solicited feedback on them in six localities across the province. This paper presents the initial findings of these focus groups, thus offering some core insights into the challenges and opportunities articulated by members of small Alberta business centres with respect to the SuperNet. How research results of this sort can help enrich current debates about e-government and the building of a “knowledge society” is considered, reiterating the value of a constructive approach to technology assessment.