| Connecting Rural Canadians launches Call For Applications |
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2 September 10, 2009Industry Canada has launched its call-for-applications process for Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians. The program will consider applications to provide service to as many unserved and underserved Canadians as possible, allowing them to participate in the digital economy by giving them access to information, services and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Applications will be evaluated against a series of criteria with emphasis on best value and most households served. Applications must also show capacity to deliver within the timeframe and demonstrate a viable business model. Successful applicants will receive federal support equalling up to 50% of their one-time costs, including: the purchase, adaptation or upgrade of equipment, hardware or software; long-term investments in network capacity (such as the lease of satellite transponder capacity); network deployment costs; and other costs directly related to extending broadband infrastructure. Potential applicants have until October 23 to submit proposals to extend service to the GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREAS that were identified as part of an extensive mapping process that took place earlier this summer. Successful proposals are expected to be announced in late 2009 to early 2010, with project builds starting as soon as possible in 2010. CLICK HERE for more information about this program on the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians website. BACKGROUND Budget 2009–Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $225 million to Industry Canada to develop and implement a strategy to extend and improve broadband coverage. The goal of this investment is to extend broadband service to as many remaining unserved and underserved Canadian households as possible. Industry Canada defines unserved Canadians as those without Internet access or with dial-up service only. Underserved Canadians may be able to access the Internet using a connection with a speed less than 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps). |
||||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
