CRTC takes action to improve reliability and affordability of Internet services in the Far North
Published: 2025-01-16 21:00
Backgrounder
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced a number of measures to improve the reliability and affordability of Internet services in the Far North.
These measures include:
- Setting new minimum speed requirements for broadband Internet services in the Far North.
- Requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to offer affordable plans to low-income households in the Far North.
- Providing funding to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the Far North.
The CRTC’s decision is the result of a public consultation that was launched in 2022. The consultation received input from a wide range of stakeholders, including residents of the Far North, ISPs, and telecommunications experts.
The CRTC’s decision is a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for residents of the Far North. Access to reliable and affordable Internet services is essential for economic development, education, and healthcare.
Key Findings
The CRTC’s consultation found that:
- Internet services in the Far North are often unreliable and expensive.
- The lack of affordable Internet services is a barrier to economic development, education, and healthcare in the Far North.
- There is a need for government support to improve the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the Far North.
CRTC’s Decision
In light of these findings, the CRTC has decided to take the following actions:
- Set new minimum speed requirements for broadband Internet services in the Far North. The new minimum speeds are 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload.
- Require ISPs to offer affordable plans to low-income households in the Far North. The affordable plans must be priced at or below $25 per month.
- Provide funding to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the Far North. The CRTC will provide up to $150 million in funding over the next five years.
The CRTC’s decision is a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for residents of the Far North. Access to reliable and affordable Internet services is essential for economic development, education, and healthcare.
Next Steps
The CRTC will now work with ISPs to implement the new measures. The CRTC will also monitor the progress of the measures and make adjustments as necessary.
The CRTC encourages residents of the Far North to contact their ISPs to inquire about the new affordable plans. The CRTC also encourages ISPs to work with local communities to identify the best ways to deploy broadband infrastructure in the Far North.
For more information, please contact:
media@crtc.gc.ca 819-997-0313
Backgrounder: CRTC takes action to improve reliability and affordability of Internet services in the Far North
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