Tag: digital divide

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Mobile Syrup

CIRA introduces new Net Good program

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has launched a new program to address ongoing internet challenges in Canada.

Net Good focuses on investing in three areas: infrastructure, online safety and policy engagement.

The program will further support solutions that improve internet performance and make it more accessible and resilient.

CIRA, a not-for-profit responsible for managing the .ca domain, will also fund projects under the program that address local internet challenges.

“As one of the few non-governmental leaders embarking on this work to improve digital equity, CIRA helps communities across Canada to tackle their digital issues,” Tanya O’Callaghan, vice president of community investment, policy and advocacy at CIRA, said. “As an evolution of our mission, we’re excited to launch Net Good by CIRA to champion communities, projects and policies that make the internet better for Canadians.”

Under its latest call for applications, organizations can apply for grants worth upwards of $100,000. Projects must focus on rural, Northern and Indigenous communities, and students.

CIRA has awarded grants to more than 200 organizations over the last decade, providing $10 million in funding.

Image credit: CIRA

Source: CIRA

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Mobile Syrup

The multitude of digital divides

blue stripes digital laser 3d hologram symbol of divide 1 render on old metal sci-fi pad background

The Government of Canada has been trying to bridge the digital divide in Canada.

It wants to connect 98 percent of Canadians with high-speed internet by 2026, providing minimum download speeds of 50Mbps and upload speeds of 10Mbps.

The move has resulted in several announcements over the past year and a half, with funding contributions that would set up applicable infrastructure across Canada, including recent announcements for New Brunswick, PEI, and Quebec.

While the actions are important, funding only addresses one aspect of the digital divide, bringing high-speed internet to underserved communities. But the digital divide is so much more than that.

According to Guy Diedrich, senior vice president and Global Innovation Officer at Cisco Systems, the digital divide doesn’t have one layer alone. There are “so many different layers to a digital divide,” he said at Cisco’s press and analyst conference earlier this month.

Diedrich explained that while building the means to access the internet is important, it doesn’t mean much if people can’t afford to use it. “If you look at some of the most advanced, most developed cities in the world, there’s still a divide.”

A single number depicting the layers isn’t available. “More [layers] today than there was yesterday,” Diedrich told MobileSyrup. “That’s the best answer.”

The digital divide isn’t just about focusing on urban and rural areas; it includes numerous layers: socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, and many more. “Just because you have connectivity doesn’t mean that you have access to that.”

Speaking on the government’s role, Diedrich said more could be done.

“There are huge parts of the population that will benefit from a more nuanced approach to the digital divide, and any government that wants to truly commit to closing that has got to acknowledge and fund those layers,” he told MobileSyrup.

Cisco is helping to address the digital divide through its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program by working with governments to build solutions to the problem.

Through this program, Cisco partnered with the City of Toronto to launch the first of 25 Wi-Fi hotspots in underserved communities.

The Digital Canopy project involved technology investments and services valued at more than $1 million, connecting upwards of 13,000 residents in low-income areas.

Available through all levels of government, Cisco will work with governments through the CDA program if they make providing access a priority and have funding available. Diedrich said Cisco doesn’t approach any government.

Like the contributions the Government of Canada makes, this collaboration alone won’t solve all the digital challenges Toronto’s underserved residents face.

But these projects have highlighted the need for government to examine and address the multitude of problems that come with the digital divide.

Image credit: Shutterstock

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Mobile Syrup

Governments of Canada and Alberta increase funding to end digital divide in Alberta

Canadian flag and Alberta flag blowing in the wind in the Canadian alpine.

The governments of Canada and Alberta are increasing their financial commitment to bring high-speed internet to rural Alberta residents.

In December, the two governments committed $300 million in joint funding. Today they increased funding to $780 million.

The increase deals with the $1 billion price tag to eliminate Alberta’s digital divide.

“We need to close this connection gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Alberta has access to reliable high-speed internet,” Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, said in a statement.

Each government is funding $390 million. The federal government provides the money through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF).

“With this funding agreement in place, we can focus on reviewing funding applications and getting shovels in the ground this spring so we can bring immediate relief to Albertans all across the province,” Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta, said in a statement.

The federal government has already announced 21 projects in the province funded through the UBF fund, valued at $41 million. It’s unclear when the government will provide details on projects relating to today’s announcement.

All projects funded through the UBF can be viewed here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Government of Ontario tables legislation to speed up delivery of broadband projects

Aerial view of mobile phone cell tower to illustrate lack of broadband internet service in rural areas and need for investment

The Government of Ontario has tabled legislation to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities as soon as possible.

Dubbed the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022, it will remove barriers and make it easier for companies to build infrastructure delivering high-speed internet across the province.

The Province notes it is currently investing $900 million towards 180 broadband, cellular, and satellite projects.

If approved, the legislation will “provide the tools and assurances that internet service providers need to get shovels in the ground as early as this summer.”

It will also improve the One Call process of pinpointing the location of underground lines, water mains, and gas pipelines. The work will be completed by one person, in some situations, instead of being duplicated for every project. Doing so will reduce the waiting period for internet safety providers and lead to faster construction, resulting in more broadband infrastructure.

“It often takes businesses and builders too long to start construction because of how complicated it is to get information about underground infrastructure,” Ross Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, said in a statement. “These are costly delays to building critical high-speed internet projects and housing developments that we can’t afford, which is why we’re accelerating how quickly workers can get shovels in the ground.”

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: Government of Ontario

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers and EORN extend 5G access in 10 Eastern Ontario communities

5G cellular repeaters on the pole

Telecommunications giant Rogers and the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) have extended 5G access to 10 communities in Eastern Ontario.

Rogers 5G network is now available in the following communities:

  • Elizabethtown-Kitley
  • Petawawa
  • Greater Napanee
  • Russell
  • Hawkesbury
  • Selwyn
  • Mississippi Mills
  • South Glengarry
  • Pembroke
  • South Stormont

The expansion is part of a $300 million public-private partnership to close the digital divide in Eastern Ontario. EORN, Rogers, the federal government, and the Province of Ontario are partners on the project. Details were first introduced in March 2021.

“Our Government is proud to partner with the Government of Ontario to connect ten additional communities in Eastern Ontario to a strong and reliable 5G network,” MP Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, said in a statement.

“These communities will now have access to an improved cellular connection, allowing residents and businesses to access important essential services wherever they are.”

The investment has already impacted eight communities, including Lindsay, Perth, and Peterborough. At completion, the project will have 300 new cell towers, update 300 pre-existing sites, and deliver mobile connectivity to 113 municipalities and Indigenous communities.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: EORN and Rogers