Canada's broadcasting and telecommunications regulatory body has ruled that all Canadians should have broadband internet access by the end of 2015 "regardless of their geographical location."
Instead of demanding service providers increase coverage, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will leave it up to market forces to dictate the roll-out of coverage.
They have also decided against establishing a funding mechanism to subsidize the deployment of broadband internet access services. In its place they are calling on further targeted government funding, an approach they say "encourages private and public partnerships."
They did however establish universal broadband speed targets of at least 5 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 1 Mbps for uploads to be available to all Canadians in four years.
"The target we have established is the minimum speed we believe consumers in rural and remote areas should be able to receive," CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said in a release.
"The industry is actively responding to market demands and we have every confidence in its ability to meet the target.
"A well-developed broadband infrastructure will serve as a gateway for Canadians to participate in the digital economy."
Speaking on behalf of the town of Bird Cove, Richard May says that if the decision is sincere it would be welcomed, however he urged Northern Peninsula residents to continue to voice their concerns about lack of coverage.
"The community needs to be behind this push," he said.
"We need to let government know that this isn't just Richard May speaking but it is the people of the region wanting equality."
Mr. May said the CRTC decision will help pressure the federal and provincial governments into action.
"I'm hoping that the provincial government comes forward with appropriate funding to make this a reality," he said.
On top of targeted government funding and public-private partnerships, the CRTC says the launch of new satellites and advances in wireless technologies will "make it possible to provide Canadians in rural and remote regions with reliable broadband connections at reasonable rates and higher speeds than those available today."
"The ubiquity and speed of broadband internet access at reasonable rates is becoming more important for Canadians in the achievement of a number of social, economic, and cultural objectives," the report says.
In examining issues such as whether they should establish a funding mechanism for broadband access and whether there should be a requirement to provide access as part of any basic service objective, the CRTCruled against updating Canada's basic service objectives in its 42-page report.
Those basic service requirements, established in 1999 and which among other things entitled Canadians access to low-speed internet at local rates, remain unchanged despite the CRTC acknowledging "broadband speeds have become the prevalent means of accessing the internet" and that "service gaps remain in rural and remote areas."
"Most parties were opposed to the establishment of any industry-funded mechanisms to assist in the rollout of broadband internet access services to all parts of Canada, arguing that such funding creates market distortions," the report says.
"In the Commission's view, market forces and targeted government funding will continue to drive the rollout and improvement of broadband internet access services in rural and remote areas.
"This approach will give service providers the greatest flexibility to choose technologies and prioritize rollout in a manner that best responds to consumer demand."
Bell Aliant was one of those parties who opposed the proposed funding mechanism which would have seen a charge added to bills, and that money going into a fund the CRTC would use towards broadband expansion.
Bell Aliant spokesperson Mark Duggan said most parties arguedthe mechanism wasn't necessary, particualrlygiven Canada's huge geography and low population density, and the fact 95 per cent of households already have access.
"It is clear the commission has recognized that the current model has had significant success and that working together we can close that last gap," Mr. Duggan said.
"I think what the commission is saying is that there is no need to create a complex subsidy and regulatory regime to close that last gap."
Eastlink's Jill Laing said since they took over Persona Communications in 2007 they had made "significant investments in upgrading and improving our infrastructure" and they "continue to expand our enhanced network to more communities."
"EastLink also invests heavily in increasing the quality and variety of services we offer. This is critical to remain competitive in today's marketplace," she said.
Provincial minister of innovation, trade and rural development Susan Sullivan did not speak directly to the Pen but a spokesperson emailed a response on her behalf.
"CRTC is a regulatory body that from time to time will state its vision for where telecommunications should be heading," it read.
"The provincial government eagerly awaits how industry and the federal government will respond to these comments. As we have stated before, telecommunications is under federal jurisdiction and we will work with industry and the federal government to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador's interests are heard."
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