Open
Source verified August 5, 2026
CRTC — Broadband Fund
Internet and mobile connectivity support
Latest source updateLast Update: August 20, 2026Latest change: The application page now starts a new application and no longer shows the Call 4 value in the funding call field.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 20, 2026
Latest change: The application page now starts a new application and no longer shows the Call 4 value in the funding call field.
Start New Application page updated
The Start New Application page now presents the application flow for beginning a new submission, including setup questions that determine which sections and forms must be completed. The funding call field previously showed Call 4 and is now blank. The page still points applicants to the Technical and Program Details Guide for eligible project types and the Call 4 Reference Map for satellite-dependent community checks.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Opened April 9, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Broadband Fund supports band councils, Indigenous governments, Canadian corporations, Canadian provincial, territorial or municipal entities, and applicant groups for projects that improve high-speed Internet and cellphone service across Canada, including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Eligible projects include transport infrastructure, mobile wireless infrastructure along major transportation roads, and satellite transport capacity in satellite-dependent communities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects that build or upgrade transport infrastructure
- Mobile wireless infrastructure projects that provide or upgrade mobile connectivity along major transportation roads
- Projects that increase satellite transport capacity in satellite-dependent communities
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Supporting documents
- Community engagement information
- Financial details
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Supporting document
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Band councils or Indigenous governments.
- Canadian corporations, for-profit or not-for-profit.
- Canadian provincial, territorial or municipal entities, or public bodies established by law and wholly owned by one of these governments.
- A partnership, joint venture or consortium composed of any of the entities listed above.
Eligible expenses
- Engineering and design
- Environmental scans and assessments
- Purchase and installation of equipment and infrastructure, including backhaul capacity and other one-time access-driven costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Post-project expenses
- Application development costs
- Existing assets
- Ongoing operations
- General overhead
Eligible geographic areas
- Underserved households in Canada that do not currently have access to fixed broadband internet access speeds of at least 50 megabits per second download and 10 megabits per second upload.
- Satellite-dependent communities.
Selection criteria
- Projects that promote the universal service objective of connecting 100% of Canadian households to fixed broadband Internet access service
- Projects that use funding efficiently, for example, the lowest cost per household
- Projects that minimize overbuild and funding overlap
How to apply
- Step 1. Learn about Call 4
- Step 2. Check your eligibility
- Step 3. Check your geographic eligibility
- Step 4. Community engagement
- Step 5. Prepare your application documents
- Step 6. Submit your application
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission.
- Selected projects are announced as funding decisions are made.
Additional information
- In 2024, the Commission made improvements to its Broadband Fund to simplify the evaluation criteria and reduce the amount of information required from applicants.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CRTC — Broadband Fund Program
What is the CRTC — Broadband Fund?
The Broadband Fund supports band councils, Indigenous governments, Canadian corporations, Canadian provincial, territorial or municipal entities, and applicant groups for projects that improve high-speed Internet and cellphone service across Canada, including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Eligible projects include transport infrastructure, mobile wireless infrastructure along major transportation roads, and satellite transport capacity in satellite-dependent communities.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is October 15, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the CRTC — Broadband Fund program?
To be eligible for the CRTC — Broadband Fund program, you must:
The applicant must be eligible to operate as a Canadian carrier.
The project must serve an eligible geographic area.
The applicant must identify all affected communities, clearly indicate which are Indigenous, and provide evidence of notification and outreach before applying.
What expenses are eligible under CRTC — Broadband Fund?
Projects that build or upgrade transport infrastructure
Mobile wireless infrastructure projects that provide or upgrade mobile connectivity along major transportation roads
Projects that increase satellite transport capacity in satellite-dependent communities
Who can I contact for more information about the CRTC — Broadband Fund?
You can contact Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) by email at hearing@crtc.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-893-0932.
Where is the CRTC — Broadband Fund available?
The CRTC — Broadband Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the CRTC — Broadband Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CRTC — Broadband Fund is a Grant and Funding