broadband

Information on all forms of broadband including DSL, Cable, and Fibre to the Home (FTTH)

Communications Chapter - Alternative Federal Budget - 2012

in
March 28, 2012

The AFB 2012 allocates the following amounts for communications:

  • The AFB allocates $250,000 to fund a broad national consultation to modernize communications policy in Canada. 
  • The AFB ramps up to $1 billion annually over 10 years to modernize Canada’s digital communications infrastructure. 
  • The AFB allocates $40 million to support new and existing national public access sites in the 2012-2013 budget year.

Full communications chapter

Full AFB 2012

Alternative Federal Budget 2011 - Communications (in brief)

in
March 16, 2011

Recognizing “effective” connectivity as an essential service
To return Canada to a leadership role in the availability and use of new communications technologies, “effective” broadband, supporting a wide range of communications applications, must become a vital part of federal policy and programs.

The AFB believes that access to 1.5 Mbps. broadband should became part of the "basic service" definition for telecommunications providers in Canada.

Developing a national broadband plan

Op-ed: Government consultation more imagined than real

in
July 26, 2010

by Marita Moll

For some time, Canadians from all sectors have been concerned about the lack of a national digital strategy. Numerous international studies have shown that our digital infrastructure and policy environment is lagging behind that of other developed nations. This stalls our economy and negatively affects productivity. Finally, on May 10, Canadians were invited to participate in a six week online consultation. Through a special website, participants could post ideas and position papers and/or vote for ideas they supported – creating a bit of competitive energy among a somewhat limited audience already comfortable with this kind of process.

Researchers and educators hold roundtable on the digital economy

in
June 18, 2010

A group of 30 researchers, students and professors met at the University of Toronto on June 14 to discuss the federal Digital Economy Consultation Paper and prepare a group response.   Participants felt that a face to face meeting where they could discuss their views and arrive at a consensus document was a time honoured way to participate in federal policy discussions that could not be replaced by individual on-line comments to a web-site.

Globe and Mail picks up rural "overbuild" story

in
June 10, 2010

"It shouldn't have happened that way. And if it has, I'd like to know about it. That's not good. I was briefed that we had mapped the whole country" said Industry Minister Tony Clement when asked about the concerns of rural ISPs that federal infrastructure money could result in overbuilding in their areas.

Rural and remote ISPs compromised by federal infrastructure grants

in
June 7, 2010

A number of ISPs in rural and remote areas were taken by surprise when the federal government announced the winners of the first round of infrastructure spending for rural and remote broadband.  Apparently a large proportion of the funding is earmarked to overbuild existing, self-sustaining broadband networks.

Since the market in these areas is very limited, this jeopardizes the sustainability of existing local ISPs.  There are several examples of this problem in B.C., in northern Manitoba and in northern Ontario.

Comment to Canada 150: Day 2 of Liberal Party Visioning Conference

in
March 27, 2010

In the 1990’s, Liberals had a proactive approach to new communications technologies. Ensuring that Canada took the lead in accessibility to the internet was a high priority policy and prominently featured in the Red Book.

International study exposes Canada's growing connectivity gap

in
March 1, 2010
 A study completed by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University exposes Canada's lack of progress in the area of broadband connectivity.  The "Canada" chapter of the final edition of this study concludes :
 

"Canada opened the decade as an extremely strong performer on broadband.  Over the course of the decade, its penetration rates have grown more slowly than those of other countries, its prices have remained high, and its speeds are still low in comparison to other OECD countries.  

Liberals say internet is infrastructure

in
February 16, 2010

 “Rural infrastructure like internet, roads and water services in every rural town needs to be modernized,” said Liberal Rural Caucus Chair Mark Eyking at a Feb 5 roundtable on rural-urban issues.  “That’s why we’re setting a goal of achieving full high-speed internet connectivity in every corner of the country.”  It is nice to hear internet described as infrastructure, which, of course, it is.  But the Liberals will have to go well beyond this goal to distinguish themselves from their rivals.

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