Internet customers in North to receive subsidy, CRTC says

Canada’s telecommunications regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), recently announced several initiatives aimed at improving internet access and affordability in the North. Following extensive consultations with various stakeholders and a public hearing in Whitehorse, the CRTC revealed plans to introduce a subsidy to make internet services more affordable for northern residents.

The subsidy, the amount of which is yet to be determined, will be available to all northern households regardless of their service provider. The goal is to bridge the price gap between internet services in the North and the rest of Canada. Additionally, the CRTC is considering extending the subsidy to small businesses in the region, although a decision has not been finalized on whether it will be available to schools, band offices, community centers, and non-profit organizations.

To gather feedback on the proposed subsidy plan, the CRTC has opened a consultation process with a deadline for comments set for February 18. In addition to the subsidy, the regulator announced that Northwestel customers will now receive credits on their monthly bill for internet outages lasting 24 hours or longer. The credit will be proportional to the duration of the outage, providing some relief to customers affected by service disruptions.

The CRTC’s consultations revealed that only one in five households in the North have internet access that meets their daily needs, with almost all households experiencing service outages in the previous year. These outages can have significant impacts on activities such as online learning, healthcare, and access to emergency services. To address concerns about network access, the CRTC also announced measures to facilitate competition by allowing other companies to utilize Northwestel’s network to offer services to customers.

These initiatives reflect the CRTC’s commitment to improving internet access and affordability in the North. By addressing issues such as price discrepancies, service disruptions, and network access, the regulator aims to enhance connectivity and support the digital needs of northern communities. Stay tuned for further updates as the CRTC continues to work towards a more inclusive and accessible telecommunications landscape.