[Advisors] Fwd: the principles of a Canadian broadband strategy

[Marita Moll]

It has taken years for the fed & prov governments to decide to work 
together on a broadband strategy. I have not delved into this -- the 
devil is usually in the details. But it seems an encouraging initiative.

Marita


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	the principles of a Canadian broadband strategy
Date: 	Sat, 27 Oct 2018 00:32:41 -0300
From: 	Brian Beaton <brian.beaton at KNET.CA>
Reply-To: 	Brian Beaton <brian.beaton at KNET.CA>
To: 	FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA



FYI .. Just wanted to make sure everyone saw this press release from ISED ..

 From 
*https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2018/10/federal-provincial-territorial-ministers-agree-to-the-principles-of-a-canadian-broadband-strategy-that-will-improve-access-to-high-speed-internet-f.html*


    Federal, provincial, territorial ministers agree to the principles
    of a Canadian broadband strategy that will improve access to high
    speed internet for all Canadians


      *Better access to high speed internet will improve competitiveness
      and address digital divide*

*October 26, 2018* — Vancouver, British Columbia

Today, federal, provincial and territorial ministers for innovation and 
economic development agreed to making broadband a priority and to 
develop a long-term strategy to improve access to high-speed Internet 
services for all Canadians. The commitment to a strategy is the latest 
outcome of this intergovernmental table focused on driving growth and 
job creation through innovation.

Ministers recognize that access to high-speed Internet service is 
critical for businesses to grow and compete and for all Canadians to 
fully access the goods and services available in a digital economy. As 
outlined in a statement released today, Ministers agreed to work towards 
universal access to high-speed Internet and improve access to the latest 
mobile wireless services along major roads and where Canadians live and 
work.

High speed connectivity is critical to the prosperity and wellbeing of 
Canadians particularly with the next-generation of high-quality networks 
that will especially enable smart cities, connected cars and e-health 
for Canadians.

At the meeting, ministers were also briefed on the report from Canada’s 
Economic Strategy Tables 
<https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/098.nsf/eng/h_00020.html>. This report 
identifies opportunities to create the conditions for strong, long-term 
competitiveness that will secure Canadians’ quality of life. Ministers 
agreed to consider the advice of the tables in advancing their two-year 
work plan in ways that will help companies to scale up and to adopt new 
technologies.

Ministers also discussed the promotion of Indigenous economic 
development through partnerships among Indigenous businesses, 
non-Indigenous businesses and communities.


      Statement by Ministers for Innovation and Economic Development on
      Connectivity

Ensuring universal access to high-speed Internet and mobile wireless 
networks is essential for long-term economic growth, innovation, and 
social progress for all Canadians across the country, and fundamental to 
success in the modern digital world.

Whether its finding information online, selling goods and services to 
domestic and international markets, or providing e-health or online 
education services, Canadian consumers, businesses, and public 
institutions require broadband Internet connectivity to participate 
fully in the digital economy.

To that end, we agree to build on existing collaboration and work 
together to enhance connectivity for all Canadians, along with private 
sector partners, municipalities, public institutions, Indigenous 
communities, and non-profit organizations to maximize the impact of our 
actions.

As we move forward and engage in this work, we will be guided by the 
following connectivity principles:

*Access*

  * Access to reliable, high quality and affordable services are
    necessary for Canada’s success in a digital world, to allow all
    Canadian businesses, households, and public institutions to realize
    the economic and social benefits of connectivity through the use of
    advanced technologies and applications
  * Work towards establishing universal access of at least 50 Mbps
    download / 10 Mbps upload taking into context scalability and
    longer-term growth.
  * Businesses should have access to networks that support their ability
    to utilize technology, compete, and contribute to the economy.
  * Mobile connectivity on major highways and roads is an important
    need, including for safety.

*Collaboration*

  * Collaboration is essential to address the scope of the challenge and
    maximize the effect of our actions.
  * Shared objectives and priorities will lead to better outcomes.
  * Gathering, having access to, and sharing reliable data can
    significantly improve analysis and deployment strategies, as well as
    enable public reporting on progress.
  * Recognize the unique circumstances of Indigenous communities,
    especially in remote and isolated locations.

*Effective Investments*

  * Targeting market failures allows governments to direct support to
    where it is needed most.
  * Coordination of regulatory and spending levers helps ensure
    effective implementation.
  * Open access requirements can promote competition, affordability, and
    greater choice and should therefore be considered.
  * Addressing deployment barriers can significantly reduce
    constructions costs of digital infrastructure.


    Quotes

      “Access to reliable and quality high-speed Internet is no longer a
    luxury.  As a country, we have made incredible advances, building
    mobile networks that are among the fastest in the world and bringing
    broadband Internet to rural and remote communities across Canada. 
    Yet there is more to do.  The commitment to a strategy we made today
    reflects the ambition we all share to get all Canadians online and
    participating in the digital economy.”

    -- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and
    Economic Development, Government of Canada

    “We want to establish Canada and British Columbia as a preferred
    location for new and emerging technologies and ensure the benefits
    of tech and innovation are felt across the province. Many tech
    companies are small businesses and a reliable Internet connection
    keeps them at the leading edge of global technological advances. We
    look forward to collaborating with jurisdictions across Canada to
    foster job creation and economic development through innovation so
    Canada stays competitive, and continues to be a place where people
    want to live and do business.”

    -- The Honourable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and
    Technology, Government of British Columbia


    Quick facts

  * Ministers committed to work towards universal access to benchmark
    Internet speeds of 50 Megabits per second download and 10 Megabits
    per second upload. In 2016, these speeds were available to 41% of
    Canadians in rural and remote areas.
  * Mobile wireless services based on 4G Long Term Evolution technology
    were available to 98.5% of homes, but there are more substantial
    gaps along unpopulated areas of major roads.
  * The number of connected devices per Canadian is expected to increase
    from 6 in 2016 to 11 by 2021.
  * 70% of teachers assign homework requiring Internet access; students
    with home Internet access have a 7% higher rate of graduation
    compared to those without.
  * In December 2016, CRTC declared broadband a basic telecom service
    <https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2016/12/crtc-establishes-fund-attain-new-high-speed-internet-targets.html> for
    all Canadians.
  * The ministers agreed to two-year work plan
    <https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2017/10/federal-provincial-territorialministerstakeactiontospureconomicg.html> when
    they last met, on October 13, 2017, in Vancouver. The work plan was
    developed to strengthen Canada’s competitive advantages and
    accelerate economic growth, create jobs and increase shared prosperity.

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