In Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-496, the CRTC first expressed its intention to create a funding mechanism to support broadband infrastructure projects in Canada161. Through a number of subsequent public proceedings, the CRTC established parameters around its Broadband Fund — an investment of $750 million over five years in broadband infrastructure projects throughout Canada.
Money for the fund is not drawn from general tax revenue, but is redirected from funds previously collected from incumbent projects by the CRTC to subsidize telephone services in remote and rural areas. Eligible projects include Transport, Access or Mobile Wireless initiatives existing in an area deemed “underserved” by ISED’s National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map, which uses a hexagon system. Underserved, in this context, means any 25 km2 hexagon that does not have access to 50/10 Mbps for any household.
The first call for applications to the CRTC Broadband Fund was announced in June 2019 for eligible projects in Canada’s North, with eligibility opened up to all areas of Canada in March 2020. As of June 2021, no projects in Alberta have received funding through the CRTC Broadband Fund162.
References
161CRTC. Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-496. Accessed 15 June 2021.
162CRTC. Broadband Fund Projects Selected for Funding. Accessed 15 June 2021.