[Advisors] Fwd: WOW - CRTC establishes fund to attain new high-speed Internet targets
Marita Moll
mmoll at ca.inter.net
Wed Dec 21 13:24:26 PST 2016
They could have done this years ago, but finally the internet is
recognized as a basic service and the idea of cross-subsidization has
emerged from the political wilderness. Just as they did through the
years of building an exceptional country-wide telephone system, the
providers must contribute to a fund to support small, rural and remote
areas.
Marita
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: WOW - CRTC establishes fund to attain new high-speed Internet
targets
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2016 17:12:39 -0400
From: Brian Beaton <brian.beaton at KNET.CA>
Reply-To: Brian Beaton <brian.beaton at KNET.CA>
To: FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA
From http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599
CRTC establishes fund to attain new high-speed Internet targets
/Wants Canadians to have access to an unlimited data plan option and
speeds of at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload/
December 21, 2016 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
today declared that broadband access Internet service is now considered
a basic telecommunications service for all Canadians. The CRTC is also
setting ambitious new speed targets and creating a new fund that will
invest up to $750 million over and above existing government programs.
Broadband and mobile services
Further to its legislative mandate, the CRTC has set the following
targetsforthe basic telecommunications services that Canadians need to
participate in the digital economy:
* 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
<http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172419> 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. The fund will:
* 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; and
* be managed at arm’s length by a third party.
Accessibility and tools for consumers
The CRTC wants Canadians to have access to the tools and services they
need to empower themselves regarding fixed Internet access services. No
later than six months from today, service providers should ensure that
contracts are written in clear and plain language, and should make
available online tools so consumers can easily manage their data usage.
Also, all wireless service providers will have to offer and publicize,
no later than six months from today, mobile service packages that meet
the needs of Canadians with disabilities.
The path forward for Canada’s digital economy
During its consultations with Canadians, the CRTC also identified
further gaps regarding the adoption of broadband Internet services in
Canada that are outside its core mandate. Today, the CRTC is submitting
a report
<http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp161221/rp161221.htm> to
the Innovation Agenda, as encouraged by the Minister of Innovation,
Science and Economic Development Canada, on the availability and
adoption of broadband Internet services in Canada. This report includes
information on access gaps resulting from infrastructure, affordability
and digital literacy issues, as well as barriers to connectivity in
Indigenous communities.
The decision issued today complements the Government of Canada’s
Innovation Agenda. Looking ahead, the CRTC will contribute in ways
appropriate to its mandate. However, all stakeholders have a role to
play to ensure that broadband Internet service is universally available
and barriers to adoption are removed.
Quick Facts
* Broadband Internet access services are necessary to the quality of
life for Canadians and empowers them as citizens, creators and
consumers.
* While most are well-served, many Canadians, particularly those in
rural and remote communities, do not have access to broadband
Internet access services that are comparable to those offered to the
vast majority of Canadians in terms of speed, capacity, quality and
price.
* Broadband Internet services would allow more Canadian entrepreneurs
to easily access crucial information relating to international
markets and create more business opportunities across Canada.
* In 2015, 82% of Canadians had access to speeds of 50 Mbps
download/10 Mbps upload for fixed broadband services.
* The CRTC is shifting its regulatory focus from wireline voice to
broadband services.
* Currently there is a subsidy for residential local voice services in
rural and remote areas that amounted to approximately $100 million
in 2016.
* The current local voice subsidy will now be transitioned to the new
funding mechanism announced today (for projects that meet the new
targets).
* Further to a broad consultation, more than 50,000 Canadians provided
their views on the telecommunications services they need to
participate in the digital economy.
Quote
“Access to broadband Internet service is vital and a basic
telecommunication service all Canadians are entitled to receive.
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.
The availability of broadband Internet, however, is an issue that
can’t be solved by the CRTC alone. All players in the Canadian
communications landscape will need to do their part to ensure
Canadians have access to the services they need to participate in
the digital economy.
All levels of government must address gaps in digital literacy.
Affordability concerns are best addressed by the emergence of a
dynamic market place where service providers compete on price for
telecommunication services, in conjunction with social
responsibility programs of telecommunications carriers and different
levels of government.
High quality and reliable digital connectivity is essential for the
quality of life of Canadians and Canada’s economic prosperity.”
- Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO, CRTC
Additional links
* Backgrounder 1 – Summary of key decision points
<http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172409>
* Backgrounder 2 – Further details regarding new funding mechanism
<http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172419>
* Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-496 – Modern telecommunications
services – The path forward for Canada’s digital economy
<http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2016/2016-496.htm>
* Basic telecommunications services
<http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/internet.htm>
- 30 -
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