High-Speed Internet Coming to Rural Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 20, 2015) - Industry Canada

Today we live in an increasingly borderless world connected by the Internet. New technologies have created tremendous opportunities for Canadians to communicate with each other and for businesses to compete globally.

The Internet makes goods cheaper and the world smaller, but for many Canadians living in rural or remote communities, access to high-speed Internet, which is critical to the success of a modern digital economy, is simply not available.

It is unfair that rural Canadians are denied fundamental digital opportunities simply because of where they live. That's why under Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government made an unprecedented commitment of $305 million to connect an additional 280,000 rural, remote and northern households to high-speed Internet at minimum speeds of five megabits per second (Mbps).

Today, Industry Minister James Moore announced that the Harper Government exceeded that target by over 75,000 households in the first round of partnership approvals, bringing high-speed Internet access to more than 356,000 homes across Canada at an average speed of over 5 Mbps.

The Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to rural Canadians. Most projects will be completed by the time Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2017.

Quick facts

• In summer 2014, the Government invited Canadians to provide feedback online to help better determine areas in need of high-speed Internet access.
• Once information was received from individual Canadians and governments across the country, Industry Canada invited Internet service providers (ISP) to submit proposals for funding under Connecting Canadians to build wireless or wired infrastructure that will provide services to rural and remote communities in need.
• Industry Canada received over 300 applications to the Connecting Canadians program from ISPs across Canada.
• Today, the Government is partnering with dozens of ISPs to build the necessary infrastructure across the country that will connect families and businesses to high-speed Internet.
• By Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, over 98 percent of Canadian households will be able to subscribe to new or improved high-speed Internet services, delivering on the Harper Government's commitment to Canadians.
• Connecting Canadians is a key commitment under Digital Canada 150, the Government of Canada's plan to help Canadians take full advantage of the opportunities of the digital age.
• Every province and territory across the country will benefit under the Connecting Canadians program. Announcements of individual projects will be made throughout the spring and summer.

Quote

"Rural high-speed Internet access will unlock fundamental opportunities critical to the success of Canada's economy. Bringing over 356,000 Canadian households access to affordable, high-speed networks is key to a stronger, more connected, digital Canada."

- James Moore, Minister of Industry

Associated link

- Connecting Canadians website

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