What started with a simple idea and a few makeshift antennas in rural Alberta has grown into one of Canada’s most trusted rural internet providers. This year, we proudly celebrate 30 years of connecting homes, businesses, and entire communities to the world—with deep roots and strong signals planted right here in Alberta.
Back in 1995, when dial-up was the norm and high-speed internet seemed out of reach for most rural communities, our team saw an opportunity and with big ideas set out to solve a big problem. Using ingenuity (and yes, Pringles cans), we built one of the first local wireless internet networks in northeastern Alberta.
Fast forward to today, and MCSnet has evolved into a high-performing, community-first internet service provider with over 500 fixed wireless towers and more than 2,000 kilometers of buried transit fiber across the province. That same resourcefulness from the early days is still at the heart of everything we do—only now, it’s backed by one of the largest privately-owned ISP networks in Canada.
Family-Owned and Community-Driven
We’re proud to be family-owned and operated. That means every decision we make is with our communities in mind. With a headquarters in St. Paul and a team of local technicians, support agents, and installers spread across rural Alberta, we understand the landscape, the challenges, and the importance of reliable internet.
To us, high-speed internet is more than just a utility—it’s a lifeline. It’s what keeps rural businesses running, classrooms connected, and families close no matter the distance.
Our Commitment to Technology and Innovation
Our commitment to innovation has brought GigAir, Fiber-to-the-Home, and other leading-edge technologies to areas that larger providers often overlook. We continue to invest in the infrastructure that helps rural Alberta thrive, not just survive.
In partnership with federal and provincial programs, we’ve invested over $60 million in internet infrastructure to ensure no community is left behind. And we’re just getting started.
We are never satisfied with the status quo. We have a drive to continually make our customer connections stronger and faster. This is why we are currently testing and upgrading a number of our countryside customers with two new types of high-speed radios.
Tech Test Part 1: Improved Speeds
The first type of tech we are switching to is designed to use more radiofrequency spectrum and multi-point capabilities so that a single base station can service multiple subscriber locations simultaneously. It also takes the basic building blocks of Wi-Fi technology, like you use in your home, and combines them with advanced techniques to create a robust and scalable internet solution.
Tech Test Part 2: A Gamechanger
The second type of tech we have just started testing is quite honestly reaching speeds we never thought possible across the countryside. This new tech has the ability to filter out other wireless signals that create interference, handle obstructions such as trees and buildings, and it also uses multiple antennas to send and receive signals. Overall, it dramatically improves rural high-speed internet connectivity and reliability.
So far, these test results far surpass other space-based and mobile internet providers and it is very encouraging. Even though the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications (CRTC) has the minimum requirements for speed set at 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up, we know our customers are expecting more from us and we plan to deliver.
This is Not Just a Company Anniversary—We’re Celebrating a Local Business Success Story and Saying Thank You
Thirty years is a milestone, but it’s also a moment to say thank you. To every customer who took a chance on a small-town ISP. To every technician who drove across backroads to install equipment. To every local business that trusted us with their connection.
We’re not just celebrating a company anniversary—we’re celebrating thousands of personal stories, small wins, big moments, and lasting relationships built over three decades.
As we look to the future, our mission remains unchanged: to deliver reliable, high-speed internet everywhere. Because no matter how far we’ve come, we’re still the same local team, serving the same strong communities, from right here in Alberta. We are Rooted in Alberta. Connecting You to the World.
Want to learn more about where we’ve been—and where we’re going?
Explore Our Story
