The First Mile

Supported by the SSHRC-funded First Nations Innovation Project

June 7, 2010 - John Travesy, Executive Director, Telecommunications at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission made a speech at the Telecom 2011 Conference.

The event was held at the launch the of Eeyou Communications Network/Réseau de Communications Eeyou in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.

Among other issues, Mr. Travesy made the following points:

• The Eeyou Network provides service that is comparable and competitive to that offered in Canadian cities, and helps ensure access to broadband-enabled public and community services, including telemedicine, distance learning, and e-government services.
  
• Market forces and, particularly for rural and remote areas, targeted government funding initiatives will continue to drive the rollout and improvement of Internet access services across the country.
• The CRTC set a target for broadband access speeds across Canada: at least 5 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 1 Mbps for uploads by the end of 2015. This target is set to allow Canadians, including those in rural and remote communities, to engage in activities such as distance learning and online consultations.
• Most of the remaining 20% of Canadian households that do not yet have access to broadband are in remote and Northern communities. This confirms why the target is necessary.
  
• Conventional broadcasters must transition from analog to digital television by August 31, 2011. This will free up the 700 megahertz spectrum — a long-range frequency band that is ideal for rural and remote areas. The auction is planned to begin in late 2012 or early 2013.

The full text of Mr. Traversy's speech is available here.

August 15, 2011 -- An article in Mediacaster Magazine notes that Telus is building a high speed Internet infrastructure to connect remote communities in Quebec. Construction is already underway in the first communities: Mingan; Natashquan; Saint-Joseph-des-Érables; Colombier; and Saint-Théophile.

This fibre build is funded through Telus funds set aside through the deferral account established by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). [ Mediacaster Magazine ]