CRTC — Broadband Fund
Canada
Funding for Internet access infrastructure projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 02, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateJune 15, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
- Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Receive funding for transport projects, mobile wireless projects along major roads, and projects requiring operational funding to increase satellite transport capacity in all admissible underserved areas.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to support projects in underserved areas across Canada, focusing on enhancing broadband Internet access. The fund aims to bridge service gaps in rural and remote locations.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$825,000
Expanding broadband access to remote communities
$900,000
Enhancing mobile wireless broadband services in underserved regions of Ottawa
$600,000
Building a new mobile wireless broadband network in underserved areas of Halifax
$975,000
Operational funding to increase satellite transport capacity in remote areas near Victoria
$1,125,000
Constructing new broadband networks in underserved rural communities near Montreal
$712,500
Upgrading existing broadband infrastructure in rural areas around Saskatoon
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and the project's focus on improving broadband access in underserved areas.
- The applicant must propose a project to build or upgrade access and transport infrastructure for broadband Internet services.
- The project must target eligible underserved areas where adequate broadband access is currently lacking.
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate their capacity to effectively implement the project.
- Community consultation is emphasized as a key component of the project development process.
- The project must be financially viable and able to leverage potential funding from other sources.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Broadband Fund include organizations that are capable of deploying broadband infrastructure in underserved areas of Canada. Specifically, entities involved in broadband infrastructure development, such as telecommunications companies and internet service providers, are encouraged to apply. Additionally, partnerships that may include municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private sector companies are also eligible, provided they demonstrate the ability to deliver broadband services in areas lacking adequate connectivity.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Broadband Fund aims to enhance Internet and mobile wireless broadband access in underserved areas across Canada by supporting infrastructure projects. The projects selected for funding focus on developing and upgrading broadband networks to achieve better connectivity.
- Building new broadband access infrastructure in areas lacking sufficient Internet speeds.
- Upgrading existing networks to provide at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.
- Expanding mobile LTE coverage to areas with inadequate service, particularly in rural regions.
- Developing transport infrastructure to support broadband access services.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
There are eligible geographic areas for this grant. The Broadband Fund supports projects in underserved areas across Canada.
- Underserved areas across Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria aim to assess and prioritize projects based on specific requirements.
- Benefit to underserved areas
- Technical feasibility
- Scalability and sustainability
- Community consultation
- Cost-effectiveness
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review the eligibility criteria and requirements for the Broadband Fund application
- Content: Understand the specific criteria and details required for project proposals
- Implications: Ensure that your project aligns with the fund's objectives and guidelines
- Step 2: Prepare and submit your application through the designated portal
- Content: Complete the application form with all necessary information
- Implications: Provide accurate details to support your project for funding consideration
- Step 3: Await the evaluation and selection process by the Broadband Fund committee
- Content: Your application will be reviewed and assessed against the fund's criteria
- Implications: The committee will determine if your project qualifies for funding
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The fund's latest updates and notifications can be tracked through the Broadband Fund RSS feed.
- The third call for applications emphasized the importance of community consultation.
- The consultation on the review of the Broadband Fund was recently closed as of July 2023.
- Recent projects have been announced in the third call for applications, highlighting ongoing funding selections.
Apply to this program
CRTC's Broadband Fund: Bridging the Connectivity Gap
The Broadband Fund, administered by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), offers significant funding to develop and enhance broadband access in underserved areas, aiming to eliminate the digital divide across Canada. This initiative supports projects that expand access to high-speed internet, particularly in rural and remote communities, enabling more Canadians to benefit from reliable broadband infrastructure.
Detailed Insights into the Broadband Fund's Role and Impact
The Broadband Fund represents a pivotal initiative within Canada's strategic framework to enhance digital connectivity across the nation. With a substantial commitment of up to $675 million over five years, this fund targets the improvement and expansion of broadband infrastructure in underprivileged, rural, and remote regions. Its purpose is to ensure that all Canadians, regardless of their location, have access to high-speed internet services that meet the benchmark of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload, with provisions for unlimited data usage.
Addressing the digital divide is not only about improving individual connectivity experiences but also about unlocking economic opportunities, enhancing access to education, and ensuring better health care outcomes. In Canada, while the majority of urban areas enjoy advanced connectivity, rural and remote communities face significant challenges. Only 62% of these areas currently have access to the standard broadband speeds, compared to 91.4% of Canadian households overall. By bridging this gap, the Broadband Fund empowers these communities, fostering economic development and ensuring more equitable access to digital resources across the country.
The Broadband Fund's strategy involves a collaborative approach, engaging with various stakeholders such as internet service providers, industry associations, and local governments to assess needs and implement projects effectively. This collaborative model ensures that projects are well-targeted and meet the actual needs of the communities they serve. The CRTC's role involves not just the distribution of funds but also ensuring accountability and providing guidance to project implementers to maximize the impact of the resources allocated.
As a result of this initiative, significant progress has been made in expanding LTE coverage. With 99.4% of Canadians now under LTE coverage, even major transportation routes and highways see more than 87.2% coverage. The challenge, however, remains in further extending these services into the most remote locations and ensuring that broadband services can meet future demands. The fund's projects are chosen based on their ability to address these ongoing challenges and to innovate solutions that can adapt to the evolving technological landscape.
Through careful project selection and ongoing evaluation, the Broadband Fund ensures that funded projects not only meet immediate connectivity needs but also support sustainable growth. This process involves rigorous criteria, including project feasibility, potential socio-economic benefits, and alignment with Canada's broader digital and economic strategies.
Overall, the Broadband Fund is a catalyst for transformation in underserved communities, providing the technological platform necessary for participation in the global digital economy. It supports a vision of inclusivity where digital inequities are minimized, supporting a future where all Canadians can leverage the power of the internet to enhance their lives, education, businesses, and health outcomes. Through continuous funding calls and strategic project support, the initiative promotes innovative solutions, ensuring that projects funded today are still relevant and beneficial in the years to come.
