Canada’s $20/month Internet for Low Income Families and Seniors Gets Faster Speeds, More Data

The government of Canada has announced the second phase of its Connecting Families program, which offers $20/month high-speed internet for qualified low-income families and seniors.

The federal government says the Connecting Families program works with 14 internet service providers that voluntarily contribute to the program. With Connecting Families 2.0, the program will soon get faster speeds and larger data caps, at the same $20/month price:

  • Internet speeds will be 5x and 10x faster respectively (was at up to 50 Mbps download)
  • Data allotment: up to 200 GB of usage per month (was at 100GB)

The new program will also expand eligibility from families receiving the maximum Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to include seniors receiving the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Participating ISPs include Access Communications, Bell Canada, CCAP, Cogeco, Hay Communications, Mornington, Novus, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw, Tbaytel, TELUS, Videotron and Westman Communications.

“Being connected is important to maintain professional, social, economic and cultural networks within the digital economy. However, many low-income Canadians are still facing barriers that prevent their full participation in the economy. By working closely with Internet service providers across the country, we are increasing accessibility and providing all Canadians with affordable and reliable Internet,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, in a statement.

Ottawa wants 98% of Canadians to have access to high-speed internet by 2026 and 100% by 2030.

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