Broadband interventions begin to flow into CRTC

The CRTC has published some of the interventions for its proceeding into the Broadband Fund. Most of the filings so far have been from governments, lobby groups and private individuals. Telecom service providers (TSPs) and internet service providers (ISPs) are expected to have their comments posted shortly. The Rural Municipalities of Alberta found fault with the way services are currently being delivered. Three years ago, it commissioned a study to look at speeds for downloading and uploading in rural Alberta. The federal government has set standards of 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) for downloading and 10 Mbps for uploading. “The results indicate that internet speed and quality in rural Alberta is far below the 50/10 goal, and far below speeds typically reported in Alberta based on federal methodology,” the submission states. The RMA is worried about the prospect of increasing the focus to rely on mobile wireless to provide connectivity. TSPs will concentrate on the more profitable wireless platform, the group believes, at the expense of rural customers. “RMA is not confident that the CRTC Broadband Fund is the right source of support for mobile wireless projects,” it writes. “Providing connectivity on major transportation roads should be an expectation for Canada’s large mobile wireless providers.” The Canadian Federation of Independent Business points out that connectivity rates are lower in rural areas. A mere 53 per cent of agri-businesses use high-speed broadband daily, since many do not have access to it. “Rural small businesses are more likely than businesses in urban areas to say they have a lot to gain through improved mobile connectivity,” the lobby group asserts. The CFIB asked to appear at the public hearing scheduled for later this year. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities wondered about cost differentials between regions. “The latest data shows that the lowest average reported price of 50/10 unlimited internet packages in rural Canada was $89.69 in 2021,” the organization stated. “For urban Canada, it was $82.22.” The FCM urges the adoption of a one-window intake process for all federal broadband funding streams. This would make the process accessible to all applicants. Cost was similarly on the mind of the government of the Northwest Territories. In a region where salaries may be lower than they are in other parts of the country, the cost of connectivity was greater. “The 2023 Price Comparison Study found that residential internet access prices in Yellowknife were 48 per cent higher than in Southern Canada,” the territorial government said. It cited a recent report from the federal Auditor General which found that there is a digital divide between urban Canadians and those in rural and remote areas. The government also lamented the coverage along roads. Only 28 per cent of highways in the Northwest Territories have mobile coverage compared to 77 per cent in the nation as a whole. On other roadways it is 18 per cent in the territory versus 90 per cent in Canada. “So while NWT accounts for just over 0.1 per cent of Canada’s population, it represents fully 10.4 per cent of Canada’s unserved major highways and roadways (1,527 km of 14,637 km) at this time,” the intervention noted. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities was concerned that it was not seeing enough of the federal funds. In addition to the CRTC’s Broadband Fund, the government is also granting money through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). “In November 2022, the federal government also announced a $475 million top-up to the UBF that now totals $3.225 billion,” the prairie group said. “Since this fund’s establishment, only $9.6 million has been allocated to Manitoba according to the selected UBF projects webpage.” Its next-door neighbour, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities also worried about where the money is going. “The CRTC needs to invest a minimum of $400 million in rural broadband per year over 10 years,” the association stated. “If this is accomplished, there would potentially be funding saved when virtual delivery of key government funded services, such as education and healthcare, becomes more reliable.” Infrastructure Ontario called upon the regulator to provide funding for operational costs. “Many major transportation roads in Ontario and across Canada are in remote areas with limited infrastructure, sparse population density, and a low customer base,” it wrote. “This often makes it economically unviable for ISPs to offer internet services without support.” It attached an 89-page draft report on process optimization for lashing to electric poles (POLE) which it felt could benefit the CRTC decision makers. The City of Calgary also heralded the idea of giving money for operational costs. The TSP should be a small player or a larger company that is willing to train local staff to provide services, the municipal government said. The funding should be provided based on the applicant’s budget cycle and could last for four years, it added. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan backed the proposal as well. The small population ensures that TSPs and ISPs cannot sustain a business plan that would allow the rollout of internet in rural communities. APAS warned against a one-size-fits-all policy on eligibility. Regional variations should be taken into account, it stated. Spirit Mobile Inc., an Indigenous-owned mobile wireless startup, came out in favour of operational funding for a term of five years. It also called on the commission to reach out to Indigenous communities through in-person meetings. It endorsed the plan to have mobile wireless as part of the funding protocol. Several Quebec residents noted that BCE Inc.’s Bell network does not operate when Hydro Quebec is experiencing blackouts. Many called for the maintaining of copper wire phone services. “Hydro Quebec electricity is not always reliable and a power outage leaves me and my family with no means of communication,” A. Moskal wrote the commission. “Lives could be at stake during a powerful storm, as happened recently.” Someone identified only as A. Johnson recommended penalties for TSPs that do not provide access to third-party players. They said that TekSavvy Solutions Inc. and Primus Communications Inc. are unable to provide them with service in the Hamilton, Ont. area. Wesley Dyas of Fort McMurray, Alta. called on the CRTC to stop the monopoly of Bell, Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. “On top of the insane price gouging the super markets here are doing, we as Canadians are getting fucked every which way,” he wrote. One dissenting note came from David Taylor of Sydney NS. He opposes public funds going to subsidize Canadian ISPs.. Bell, Telus and Rogers are profitable into the billions, he argues, and should not expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the expansion of their networks. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca.

Broadband interventions begin to flow into CRTC

News | July 21, 2023

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Broadband interventions begin to flow into CRTC

News | July 21, 2023

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