The Broadband Task Force
Industry Canada's Broadband Task Force identified several challenges in carrying out its ICT4D projects. First, there was no clear definition of “broadband”, since the dynamic technology changed so rapidly. To solve this issue, the group defined broadband as “a high-capacity, two-way link between an end user and access network suppliers capable of supporting full-motion, interactive video applications” (p.2). They determined that a minimum 1.5Mbps two-way (symmetrical) connection per individual user could meet that goal.
You might be wondering what the government's definition of broadband is now?
Until very recently, it was 1.5Mbps download, 384Kbps upload. That's right – slower than in 2001. This is largely because some communities in remote and northern regions require access to satellites broadband, which is restricted given high costs and technical characteristics.
A second challenge that the Task Force faced was Canada’s large size and dispersed population. In 2001, around three-quarters of the country's communities – mostly in rural, remote and northern regions – did not have access to broadband. In part, this was due to the lack of a business case. Private sector corporations that rolled out infrastructure in urban centres and southern rural communities could not recuperate investments in the scarcely populated and expensive to serve regions. As a result, many faced – and continue to face – significant digital divides, a challenge we consider in Unit 6.
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Industry Canada's Broadband Task Force identified several challenges in carrying out its ICT4D projects. First, there was no clear definition of “broadband”, since the dynamic technology changed so rapidly. To solve this issue, the group defined broadband as “a high-capacity, two-way link between an end user and access network suppliers capable of supporting full-motion, interactive video applications” (p.2). They determined that a minimum 1.5Mbps two-way (symmetrical) connection per individual user could meet that goal.
You might be wondering what the government's definition of broadband is now?
Until very recently, it was 1.5Mbps download, 384Kbps upload. That's right – slower than in 2001. This is largely because some communities in remote and northern regions require access to satellites broadband, which is restricted given high costs and technical characteristics.
A second challenge that the Task Force faced was Canada’s large size and dispersed population. In 2001, around three-quarters of the country's communities – mostly in rural, remote and northern regions – did not have access to broadband. In part, this was due to the lack of a business case. Private sector corporations that rolled out infrastructure in urban centres and southern rural communities could not recuperate investments in the scarcely populated and expensive to serve regions. As a result, many faced – and continue to face – significant digital divides, a challenge we consider in Unit 6.
Close this window to return to the course