The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission today announced that more than 280 rural and remote communities in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec now have access to broadband Internet services.
Under a plan that was approved by the CRTC in 2024, Bell Canada, MTS Allstream and TELUS spent $422 million on broadband expansion to rural and remote communities. Bell and MTS completed their broadband expansions in 2024. TELUS finalized its expansion in December 2024.
The completion of this work coincides with the CRTC’s review of basic telecommunication services. In April of 2024, the CRTC launched an extensive process to ensure Canadians have the telecommunications services, including broadband Internet, they need to fully participate in the digital economy.
Canadians who wish to participate in this important process can fill out a simple questionnaire. Canadians who cannot access the questionnaire online may call 1-877-249-CRTC (2782) to fill it out over the phone with an agent or to request a paper copy. (A prepaid return envelope will be supplied.) Canadians may also send a fax to 819-994-0218 to request a copy to complete and send back. The responses to the questionnaire (online, phone, fax or mail) must be completed and received by the CRTC by February 29, 2024.
Since January 14, 2024, nearly 25,000 people have responded to the CRTC’s questionnaire on broadband Internet services, indicating that the topic is important for many Canadians. The CRTC is holding a public hearing on these issues starting April 11, 2024 in Gatineau, Quebec.
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