CRTC Takes Action to Improve Reliability and Affordability of Internet Services in the Far North
January 16, 2025
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced a series of measures aimed at improving the reliability and affordability of internet services in the Far North.
The measures include:
- Requiring internet service providers (ISPs) to meet minimum performance standards for speed and latency in the Far North.
- Establishing a new Broadband Fund to subsidize the cost of internet infrastructure in remote communities.
- Creating a new ombudsperson position to resolve complaints about internet services in the Far North.
The CRTC’s decision comes after years of complaints from residents and businesses in the Far North about the high cost and poor quality of internet services.
“Access to reliable and affordable internet is essential for economic development, education, and social inclusion,” said CRTC Chairman Ian Scott. “These measures will help to ensure that residents of the Far North have the same access to internet services as Canadians in other parts of the country.”
The CRTC’s measures are expected to come into effect in 2026.
Industry Reaction
The Canadian telecommunications industry has welcomed the CRTC’s decision.
“We are committed to working with the CRTC to improve internet services in the Far North,” said Robert Ghiz, President and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association. “These measures will help to ensure that all Canadians have access to the vital services they need.”
Consumer Reaction
Consumer groups have also praised the CRTC’s decision.
“This is a major victory for consumers in the Far North,” said John Lawford, Executive Director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. “These measures will make a real difference in the lives of people living in these remote communities.”
Background
The Far North is a region of Canada that includes the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and northern Quebec. The region is home to approximately 100,000 people.
Internet services in the Far North are often more expensive and less reliable than in other parts of Canada. This is due to the challenges of providing infrastructure in such a remote and sparsely populated region.
The CRTC’s measures are aimed at addressing these challenges and ensuring that residents of the Far North have access to the same high-quality internet services as Canadians in other parts of the country.
CRTC takes action to improve reliability and affordability of Internet services in the Far North
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