The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced new plans to make Internet services in Canada’s Far North more reliable and affordable.
“Throughout our consultation, we heard about the challenges that residents of the Far North face in accessing Internet services and the real impact that has on peoples’ daily lives. From disruptions in online learning, to the inability to access healthcare and emergency services. Today, we are taking action to help address those challenges by making Internet services more reliable and affordable,” said Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC.
That consultation was a week-long public hearing in Whitehorse. There were 23 groups that made presentations and answered questions.
Northwestel, the biggest provider in the region, must now automatically reduce customer bills when Internet service is disrupted for 24 hours or more. Bell previously sold Northwestel to a consortium of Indigenous communities from Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, known as Sixty North Unity, last summer, for $1 billion.
The CRTC is making it easier for other Internet providers to use Northwestel’s network, aiming to increase competition and provide more options for residents.
A public consultation has also been launched to create a subsidy that would help reduce Internet costs in the Far North, bringing them closer to prices in the rest of Canada. The consultation is open now for comments until February 18, 2025.
Residents, businesses, and Indigenous communities can share feedback online, through the CRTC website, by mail or fax (yes, fax).
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Honestly I feel a bit bad for this company. I don't think providing service in a middle of no where (Canada) is cheap, easy to be reliable, or something people really want to make an effort at doing.
It's like minus -40c there, all the time. It's night for 6 months. It's day for 6 months. It's weird, not a natural place to be.
The first part I'm okay with, 24 hours service -> bill credit okay sure. But now this company needs to provide access to others that not invest any money into this strange far north place?
Hmm this I have a problem with. Who want to do business in the Yukon, where you are mandated to have a gun because a bear will eat you when you go to your car.
I don't find it unreasonable to charge $75 / mo for internet in CAD (like $55 USD) for 20 Mbps for a whole month up there…
Orange juice is $24.99.
The government of Canada need a better perspective on what to spend their time and money regulating.