Telecommunications

Canada declares high-speed internet a basic service

Canada declares high-speed internet a basic service
The initiative is aimed to empower those living in rural parts of Canada without access to high-speed broadband
The initiative is aimed to empower those living in rural parts of Canada without access to high-speed broadband
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The initiative is aimed to empower those living in rural parts of Canada without access to high-speed broadband
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The initiative is aimed to empower those living in rural parts of Canada without access to high-speed broadband

Around 82 percent of Canadians had access to broadband with 50 Mbps download speeds in 2015. This is certainly better than many nations, but in the view of the country's telecommunications authority it's still not quite enough. The regulator has now officially declared broadband access as necessary for the quality of life of all citizens, a claim backed by up to CAD$750 million (US$556 million) in new funding to bring every last Canadian online.

The initiative is aimed at allowing all Canadians to get involved in the digital economy and to that end, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has outlined a few criteria it says will help them achieve this. These are granting all citizens access to download speeds of 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps on fixed broadband services, unlimited data options on these services and bringing advanced mobile wireless technology to homes, businesses and also along Canadian roads.

Up to $750 million in funding will be available over the first five years and will be used to develop infrastructure in regions that don't currently meet the targets outlined above. In doing so, the authority hopes that those in rural and remote communities will be empowered as citizens, creators and consumers and more entrepreneurs can forge new business opportunities.

"Access to broadband internet service is vital and a basic telecommunication service all Canadians are entitled to receive," said Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO of CRTC. "Canadians who participated during our process told us that no matter where they live or work in our vast country — whether in a small town in northern Yukon, a rural area of eastern Quebec or in downtown Calgary — everyone needs access to high-quality fixed internet and mobile services. We are doing our part to bring broadband services to rural and remote communities."

Source: Government of Canada

5 comments
5 comments
Timelord
Meanwhile, US companies continue to tout 10Mbps as "broadband." And things will only get worse under the incoming "close up the Internet" president.
S Michael
Get over your liberal, miserable attitude Mr. Timelord. President Trump never said anything about closing down the internet, and the "getting worse" only exist in your biased mind. Saying that, I agree with you about the 10Mbps touted as "broadband." What to do about???? I haven't a clue. But I can say this. I'm not for socialism where the government provides communications. Why... because it then belongs to government and they can do whatever they want to do with it, including monitoring. Get a clue and grow up.
EcoLogical
Mr. Michael, you're the one that needs to grow up and get a clue! The CRTC in Canada is a regulator, not an owner! The Canadian gov't doesn't provide any communications services, the 3 major companies are Telus, Rogers and Bell. There are also strict privacy regulations in Canada that prevents "monitoring". Americans just voted Hitler and the Third Reich into power in the USA. The Republicans are sponsored by the oil industry and want to keep everyone addicted to oil so they can continue to make their exorbitant profits as long as possible. We should all be worried about our freedom! Hitler used propaganda to trick the German people into his agenda, Trump is doing exactly the same thing. Everything Trump says is an outrageous lie!!!
Stephen N Russell
Use Skagway, Alaska as Hub aside Vic BC for project alone Bravo, needed & im sure Alaska will join as WA too. Yes. So tired of lame DSL speeds via AT&T.
PB
The 10 Bps is what A T and T offers...... and when you use above a certain monthly level they slow down the bandwidth.
A T and T has a monopoly on broadband in California and they make the rules ........ but the cable company 50 Bps so I went there after A T and T slowed down my download a few times.
Canada has Axia Netmedia in Calgary was privatized this year, bought with US venture money ....... Axia is the backbone operator in Alberta and probably has the insude track on a Canadian wide broadband system.
Australia has spent a decade rolling out a nation wide broadband system and still isn't functioning and is massively over budget.