Liberals promise 100 per cent broadband connectivity

In a campaign-style announcement Tuesday, the Liberal party committed to using proceeds from the next wireless spectrum auction to roll out universal national broadband access at minimum speeds of 1.5 Mbps. In a release, the party said it would achieve 100 per cent high-speed broadband connectivity nationally within three years of being elected and expand mobile phone coverage in rural and remote areas. The Liberals would reach “more ambitious” connectivity by Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, the party said. The announcement was made as part of the party’s “Rural Canada Matters” initiative. It came just after Bernard Courtois, president and CEO of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), told the Senate transportation and communications committee that Canada should move beyond a discussion about providing 1.5 Mbps broadband access to rural and remote communities and commit to next generation broadband for all Canadians by 2017. “The Liberal Party of Canada believes that economic opportunity and a high quality of life can be achieved in all regions and is committed to tackling the rural-urban divide,” the party release said, alluding to Internet access as an “essential service.” Industry Canada is preparing for spectrum auctions in the 700 Mhz and 2500 Mhz bands, which could happen in 2011. The Liberal release noted that the 2006 Telecommunications Review Panel recommended that the federal government achieve 100 per cent high-speed Internet connectivity by 2010. It cited CRTC figures that said, in 2009, 20 per cent of rural Canadians did not have access. Industry Minister Tony Clement issued a statement on the government's rural broadband initiative on Tuesday. “Our government is committed to providing high-speed Internet access to all Canadians, including those that live in rural and remote areas," he said. "Extending broadband is a sound economic investment, as it provides households and businesses with internet service levels more comparable to many of their urban counterparts. Our government is moving forward with our digital economy strategy, and rural broadband is an integral part of the plan. We are working to develop a strategy that will strengthen Canada’s ability to compete and lead in the global digital economy.” Last year, the Conservative government announced a $225 million investment over three years to expand and improve broadband coverage nationally. The government closed a call for applications to the program on Oct. 23, 2009, after receiving 570 proposals. "I look forward to announcing details of approved projects to build the infrastructure necessary to offer Internet access in rural and remote areas very shortly," Clement said. Liberal industry critic Marc Garneau previously told The Wire Report that the party also supports speed matching regulation, which would require incumbent telecom carriers to allow wholesale broadband access to their networks at Internet speeds matching the incumbents’ retail speeds.

Liberals promise 100 per cent broadband connectivity

Briefs | 05/04/2010 6:12 pm EDT

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