Canada’s telecom regulator, CRTC, last week said broadband internet must be “a basic telecommunications service for all Canadians.” Issuing funds to connect rural and remote communities to high-speed broadband is now treated as an essential technology similar to voice service, according to Ars Technica.
Mark Alrutz, Senior Director, Service Provider Solutions at CommScope, said, “Connectivity across entire national populations is recognized as a goal in most countries. The achievement of that goal will likely require a blend of technologies including copper wireline, optical wireline and wireless.” CommScope is well positioned to “support continuing growth in all technology and connectivity sectors worldwide,” Alrutz said.
The CRTC set the following targets for the basic telecommunications services that “Canadians need to participate in the digital economy:”
Broadband and mobile services
- speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload for fixed broadband internet access services.
- an unlimited data option for fixed broadband access services.
- the latest mobile wireless technology available not only in homes and businesses, but also along major Canadian roads.
New funding for broadband projects
The CRTC is establishing a fund to support projects in areas that do not meet these targets. Applicants will be able to submit funding proposals in order to build or upgrade infrastructure for fixed and mobile broadband internet access services.
- make available up to $750 million over the first five years;
- be complementary to existing and future private investment and public funding; focus on underserved areas
- be managed at arm’s length by a third party the announcement said. A new fund will make $750 million available over the next five years to support projects in areas where that level of broadband isn’t available.
- Money will be distributed to applicants based upon a competitive process. Funding can be used either for fixed broadband service or to upgrade mobile networks, but the goals of 50Mbps/10Mbps and unlimited data for all is specifically for home internet service.
- About 10 percent will be allocated to communities that are dependent on satellite access.
Rogers Communications, a large Canadian telco, told the CBC that it already offers unlimited data and speeds 20 times faster than the CRTC’s target in its whole service area. “While there are still many details to be worked out, we are encouraged by this reasonable plan to help increase access to Canadians in hard to reach areas of our country,” said Rogers Senior VP of Regulatory Affairs David Watt told Ars Technica.
Bell Canada said only that it is “reviewing the decision,” according to CTV News. OpenMedia, a nonprofit advocacy group, hailed the decision, calling it “a game-changer for rural and underserved communities across Canada where internet access is either unavailable or unaffordable.”
December 26, 2016
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