CRTC launches new call for broadband fund proposals, prioritizes areas without previous funding

The CRTC will be accepting new broadband fund proposals for the first time since a 2024 policy review. The regulator will be considering universal service objective projects that provide or improve fixed broadband service of at least 50/10 megabits per second (Mbps) in underserved areas, and projects that will improve connectivity in satellite-dependent communities (SDC). The broadband fund, launched in 2019, aims to support projects that help connect underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across the country. According to a CRTC notice, the commission will prioritize proposals for geographic areas that are not already forecasted to meet the universal service objective through any previous public broadband funding The CRTC said it will not consider applications for mobile wireless projects or capital terrestrial transport projects that connect an SDC to an existing terrestrial network. To be eligible for the funding, the project must “either build new infrastructure or upgrade existing infrastructure and connect households to broadband infrastructure, resulting in improvements to internet services in the area,” the notice said. While universal service objective projects are required to meet the minimum service speed of 50/10 Mbps to be eligible, projects in SDC are “encouraged” to meet or exceed that speed. However, the commission noted that SDC projects that propose to meet or exceed 50/10 Mbps will be considered “more favourably” by the CRTC. Additionally, for universal service objective projects that include a transport component, “the project must propose to offer wholesale open access services at each point of presence (PoP) along the transport route at speeds of 100 Mbps, 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), or 10 Gbps to be eligible for funding.” If selected, those projects will also have to propose rates, terms, and conditions for the wholesale access, which will also be subject to CRTC approval. Indigenous applicants are exempt from the wholesale requirement. The CRTC will also provide funding for up to two years for Indigenous staff in communities that Indigenous applicants propose serving as part of funded capital projects. The CRTC will also allow upfront funding of up to 15 per cent of the total approved funding for a capital project, to a maximum of $750,000, for Indigenous applicants. Indigenous funding recipients will also be exempt from a 10 per cent holdback requirement for projects with approved funding of $5 million or less. The CRTC said it will triage applications to ensure “funding is allocated to the most impactful projects as quickly as possible and will prioritize projects that propose to serve the greatest number of households accordingly.” It will also apply special weighting to criteria that promote the government’s universal service objective of connecting 100 per cent of Canadian households to broadband internet of at least 50/10 Mbps by 2030. Further, the CRTC said it will aim to minimize overbuilding and funding overlap, while favouring projects with a lower cost per household. Applications are open until August 13. news@thewirereport.ca

CRTC launches new call for broadband fund proposals, prioritizes areas without previous funding

Regulatory |
By Wire Report Staff
|April 9, 2026

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CRTC launches new call for broadband fund proposals, prioritizes areas without previous funding

Regulatory | By Wire Report Staff |April 9, 2026

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By Wire Report Staff
|April 9, 2026