Patience is appreciated on CRTC proceedings related to barriers to broadband deployment
By Amanda Oye
MONT-TREMBLANT – As the Canadian communications industry faces (yet another) period of immense change, CRTC interim vice-chair of broadcasting and commissioner for Quebec, Alicia Barin (above), applauded the resiliency of the members of the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance and assured them they are being heard on important CRTC files.
Speaking today at CCSA’s 2022 Connect conference, Barin pointed out CCSA members are no strangers to challenges or change. She spoke of their resiliency, recalling “the “death stars” of the early 1990s… the term applied to the direct-to-home satellites that threatened the entire Canadian communications sector,” and “the game-changing transition from analog to digital in the early 2000s.”
“The truth is that it has never been smooth sailing for any sector of the Canadian communications industry—at least not for any extended period of time,” she said.
In terms of today’s communications landscape, Barin spoke directly about three CRTC files: the Broadband Fund, potential barriers to broadband deployment and Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, which the Commission is currently following in Parliament.
On the Broadband Fund, Barin said over $225 million has been committed to projects improving fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure in over 200 communities (including 89 Indigenous communities) – half of which has gone to small players.
“Much of the feedback that we have received about the Broadband Fund has focused on two areas of concern: that our application process is onerous and that we contact only those selected for funding,” Barin said. “Some applicants have expressed frustration because they cannot get information that could help them strengthen future bids. Unfortunately, the way the fund was set up, the CRTC is not permitted to provide feedback.”
She assured the audience their concerns were still heard and noted the Commission plans to review the Broadband Fund policy “in the coming months”. “I fully expect that CCSA members will participate in this review and share ideas for improvements to the fund and its processes.”
While there has been progress made on the government’s overall goal of ensuring all Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2030, there is still work to be done and Barin said she expects there will be future calls for Broadband Fund applications.
On the matter of potential barriers to the deployment of broadband, Barin said they have been working hard on concerns and know “gaining access to telephone poles and other support structures can be challenging, and that untimely and costly access can hinder the deployment of broadband generally, and more urgently, in underserved areas.”
She said the CRTC’s appreciates the input it has received on barriers to broadband deployment and the Commission’s proceeding on access to support structures.
“Rest assured that your views will inform our decision,” she said. The CRTC’s work, however, does not always happen as quickly as some would like, Barin explained before thanking everyone for their patience as the Commission works to complete these proceedings.
Finally, on the matter of C-11, Barin said the Commission is “closely following Parliament’s study of the bill” and “will be ready to move quickly to launch public consultations” should it receive Royal Assent.
“The input of the CCSA and its members will be welcome in these future proceedings,” she said.
