<div dir="ltr"><div><div>Good news from Canada and India.<br><br></div>Can we consider these countries as examples of how Governments can play a role in connecting the next billion to the Internet? These types of initiatives need to be supported by other stakeholder groups to ensure they are effective and support the SDGs.<br><br></div>Congratulations to OpenMedia for their work behind the scenes.<br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div><div>------------------------<br>*<b>Arsène Tungali</b>*<br></div>Co-Founder & Executive Director, <span><i><a href="http://www.rudiinternational.org" target="_blank">Rudi international</a></i>,</span><br>CEO,<i> <a href="http://www.smart-serv.info" target="_blank">Smart Services Sarl</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.mabingwa-forum.com" target="_blank">Mabingwa Forum</a></i> <br>Tel: +243 993810967<i><br></i></div><div>GPG: 523644A0<i><br></i></div><div><u>Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo</u><i><br><br></i></div><div><a href="http://tungali.blogspot.com/2015/06/selected-for-2015-mandela-washington.html" target="_blank">2015 Mandela Washington Felllow</a> (YALI) - <a href="http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/2015Ambassadors" target="_blank">ISOC IGF Ambassador</a><a href="http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/2015Ambassadors" target="_blank"> </a><font face="monospace,monospace">- <br></font><a href="http://tungali.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogger</a> - <a href="https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-07-18-en" target="_blank">ICANN Fellow</a>.<i> </i><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/liza-bel/drc_b_8958150.html" target="_blank">The HuffingtonPost UK</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">2016-12-23 7:18 GMT+02:00 parminder <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:parminder@itforchange.net" target="_blank">parminder@itforchange.net</a>></span>:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<p><font face="Verdana">Interesting, Indian telcom regulator has
proposed that rural consumers be given free data to the extent
of 100 MB every month - -this I think is an absolute first
anywhere. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana">See,
<a class="m_4868765766048890196moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Recommendations_19122016.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.trai.gov.in/<wbr>WriteReadData/WhatsNew/<wbr>Documents/Recommendations_<wbr>19122016.pdf</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana">Unfortunately, the same order greatly
dilutes its earlier net neutrality ruling banning free basics
like services. It still disallows telcos to take payment for
privileged or free carriage, but allows third party companies to
develop means whereby "data rewards" can be given for browsing
certain content, which, in practice means more or less the same
thing - big content players are able to pay their way to induce
consumers to stick to their offerings - that, in practice, comes
for free - rather than going to the competitors.. It would still
fundamentally distort the Internet. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana">parminder </font><br>
</p><div><div class="h5">
<br>
<div class="m_4868765766048890196moz-cite-prefix">On Friday 23 December 2016 03:16 AM,
Michael Gurstein wrote:<br>
</div>
</div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div class="h5">
<div class="m_4868765766048890196WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US"> First Mile [<a href="mailto:FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.UNB.CA" target="_blank">mailto:FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.<wbr>UNB.CA</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Josh Tabish<br>
<b>Sent:</b> December 21, 2016 5:29 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.UNB.CA" target="_blank">FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.UNB.CA</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: WAHOO! CRTC establishes fund to attain
new high-speed Internet targets<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi all,<u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is indeed extremely important and
historic.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please see our press release below,
which went out about an hour ago. And be sure to spread
the good word on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/openmediaorg/photos/a.10150091346724759.281668.173437729758/10154928037764759/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Facebook</a>
and <a href="https://twitter.com/OpenMediaOrg/status/811680310794461184" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">For
Immediate Release </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">In
historic decision, CRTC rules that all Canadians must
have access to reliable, world-class mobile and
residential Internet</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Today’s
CRTC decision is a game-changer for rural Canadians.
Trudeau government must step up and help turn this
exciting vision into reality</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">December
21, 2016 – </span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) has </span><a href="http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">just
ruled</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">
that all Canadians must have access to reliable,
world-class mobile and residential Internet services.
The decision underpins a call for a new national
strategy from the CRTC and citizens alike, resulting
from the Commission’s </span><a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-134.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Review
of Basic Telecommunications Services</span></i></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">
consultation.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">OpenMedia,
which led a nearly 50,000-strong citizen movement for
Internet as a basic service (and facilitated more than
95% of the comments to the CRTC proceeding), <span style="color:black">describes today’s decision as
truly historic. The ruling will be a game-changer for
rural and underserved communities across Canada where
Internet access is either unavailable or unaffordable,
due to a digital divide keeping almost </span></span><a href="http://www.cmcrp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CMCRProjectBSOSubmission-1.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">one in
five Canadians offline</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">.
</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">“Canadians
asked for universal Internet access, support for rural
communities, world-class speeds, unlimited data options,
and minimum guarantees for the quality of their
Internet. And today, we won it all!” said <b>Josh
Tabish</b>, campaigns director for OpenMedia. “With
this ruling, the CRTC has finally listened to Canadians
and agreed that residential and mobile Internet is a
basic service required for modern life, as important as
the telephone.”</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0cm"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Tabish
continued: “For too long, rural and underserved
communities all across Canada have faced an uphill
battle to participate meaningfully in our digital
economy. Today’s decision will go a long way toward
closing this digital divide. Now that the CRTC has
spoken, we need to hold the Trudeau government
accountable for ensuring this exciting vision becomes a
reality.”</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Key
points from today’s CRTC decision, and the
accompanying national broadband strategy:</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">100%
of Canadians must have access to reliable, world-class
mobile and fixed Internet services. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The
decision includes: Internet access defined as a basic
service, access to world-class speeds, options for
unlimited data packages, and a level playing field for
rural and remote Canadians.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">New
network speed targets of 50 Mbps download speed and 10
Mbps upload speed, and the ability to subscribe to fixed
Internet package with an unlimited data option.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Canadians
from coast to coast to coast must have access to
high-speed mobile and residential Internet connections.
To fund this, the CRTC will redistribute hundreds of
millions of dollars from telecommunications company
revenues over the coming years.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Going
forward, rural, remote, and urban communities must be
able to access Internet speeds five times as fast as the
U.S. minimum (10/1) and the government will encourage
the widest availability of the fastest 4G/LTE mobile
networks.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Finally,
the CRTC issued a <a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp161221/rp161221.pdf" target="_blank">new
report</a> outlining the imperative for a national
broadband strategy and what the federal government
should consider when building it.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Throughout
our participation in this proceeding, OpenMedia argued
that only a properly-funded national strategy can tackle
Canada’s digital divide. We asked the CRTC to create new
rules to ensure all Canadians have access to guaranteed
minimum service levels on fixed and mobile networks —
rules that will enable all Canadians to enjoy equal
opportunity to participate in the social and economic
activities afforded by Internet access at a fair price.
</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Our
community-driven </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/314045590/OpenMedia-CRTC-BSO-Final-Submission" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">submission</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">
argues that these new rules should not hinder industry,
but should instead promote investment, competition, and
openness. </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Canadians
can call on the government to build on the CRTC’s vision
to create a national broadband strategy at </span><a href="https://act.openmedia.org/broadband-plan" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></a><a class="m_4868765766048890196moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://act.openmedia.org/broadband-plan" target="_blank">https://act.openmedia.org/<wbr>broadband-plan</a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">About
OpenMedia</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">OpenMedia
works to keep the Internet open, affordable, and
surveillance-free. We create community-driven campaigns
to engage, educate, and empower people to safeguard the
Internet.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">-30-</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Contact</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Katy
Anderson</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Digital
Rights Specialist, OpenMedia</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">1
<a href="tel:(888)%20441-2640" value="+18884412640" target="_blank">(888) 441-2640 ext. 5</a></span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:katy@openmedia.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">katy@openmedia.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 1:55 PM, Rob
McMahon <<a href="mailto:rdmcmaho@ualberta.ca" target="_blank">rdmcmaho@ualberta.ca</a>>
wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is such fantastic news!!
Hooray!! Thanks all!<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 2:54
PM, <<a href="mailto:heatherehudson@gmail.com" target="_blank">heatherehudson@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Terrific!
Of course the devil will be in the
details, but it looks as if the fund
will be open to all. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">I
think we should put out a press
release tomorrow. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Many
thanks to our participants and
supporters!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Heather
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Sent
from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<table class="m_4868765766048890196MsoNormalTable" style="width:100.0%;background:white;border-spacing:0px" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;font-size:initial;text-align:initial">
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm" id="m_4868765766048890196m_5131064100395331154m_-2007846983746545721_persistentHeader">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">From:
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Brian
Beaton<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Sent:
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Wednesday,
December 21, 2016 13:12<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">To:
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><a href="mailto:FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.UNB.CA" target="_blank"></a><a class="m_4868765766048890196moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.UNB.CA" target="_blank">FIRSTMILE@LISTSERV.UNB.CA</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Reply
To: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Brian
Beaton<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Subject:
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">WOW
- CRTC establishes fund to
attain new high-speed Internet
targets<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">From <a href="http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599" target="_blank"></a><a class="m_4868765766048890196moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599" target="_blank">http://news.gc.ca/web/<wbr>article-en.do?nid=1172599</a><u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<h1 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:2.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9"><span style="font-size:25.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">CRTC
establishes fund to attain new
high-speed Internet targets<u></u><u></u></span></h1>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9"><em><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Wants
Canadians to have access to an
unlimited data plan option and
speeds of at least 50 Mbps
download and 10 Mbps upload</span></em><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">December
21, 2016 – Ottawa-Gatineau –
Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC)<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">The
Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) today declared that
broadband access Internet service
is now considered a basic
telecommunications service for all
Canadians. The CRTC is also
setting ambitious new speed
targets and creating a new fund
that will invest up to $750
million over and above existing
government programs.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Broadband
and mobile services<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Further
to its legislative mandate, the
CRTC has set the following targets<b> </b>for<b> </b>the
basic telecommunications services
that Canadians need to participate
in the digital economy:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">speeds of 50
megabits per second (Mbps)
download/10 Mbps upload for
fixed broadband Internet access
services.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">an unlimited data
option for fixed broadband
access services.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">the latest mobile
wireless technology available
not only in homes and
businesses, but also along major
Canadian roads.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">New
funding for broadband projects<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">The
CRTC is establishing a <a href="http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172419" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">fund</span></a> to
support projects in areas that do
not meet these targets. Applicants
will be able to submit funding
proposals in order to build or
upgrade infrastructure for fixed
and mobile broadband Internet
access services. The fund will:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">make available up
to $750 million over the first
five years;<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">be complementary to
existing and future private
investment and public funding;<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">focus on
underserved areas; and<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">be managed at arm’s
length by a third party.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Accessibility
and tools for consumers<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">The
CRTC wants Canadians to have
access to the tools and services
they need to empower themselves
regarding fixed Internet access
services. No later than six months
from today, service providers
should ensure that contracts are
written in clear and plain
language, and should make
available online tools so
consumers can easily manage their
data usage.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Also,
all wireless service providers
will have to offer and publicize,
no later than six months from
today, mobile service packages
that meet the needs of Canadians
with disabilities.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">The
path forward for Canada’s digital
economy<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">During
its consultations with Canadians,
the CRTC also identified further
gaps regarding the adoption of
broadband Internet services in
Canada that are outside its core
mandate. Today, the CRTC is
submitting <a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp161221/rp161221.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">a report</span></a> to
the Innovation Agenda, as
encouraged by the Minister of
Innovation, Science and Economic
Development Canada, on the
availability and adoption of
broadband Internet services in
Canada. This report includes
information on access gaps
resulting from infrastructure,
affordability and digital literacy
issues, as well as barriers to
connectivity in Indigenous
communities.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">The
decision issued today complements
the Government of Canada’s
Innovation Agenda. Looking ahead,
the CRTC will contribute in ways
appropriate to its mandate.
However, all stakeholders have a
role to play to ensure that
broadband Internet service is
universally available and barriers
to adoption are removed.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Quick
Facts<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Broadband Internet
access services are necessary to
the quality of life for
Canadians and empowers them as
citizens, creators and
consumers.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">While most are
well-served, many Canadians,
particularly those in rural and
remote communities, do not have
access to broadband Internet
access services that are
comparable to those offered to
the vast majority of Canadians
in terms of speed, capacity,
quality and price.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Broadband Internet
services would allow more
Canadian entrepreneurs to easily
access crucial information
relating to international
markets and create more business
opportunities across Canada.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">In 2015, 82% of
Canadians had access to speeds
of 50 Mbps download/10 Mbps
upload for fixed broadband
services.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">The CRTC is
shifting its regulatory focus
from wireline voice to broadband
services.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Currently there is
a subsidy for residential local
voice services in rural and
remote areas that amounted to
approximately $100 million in
2016.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">The current local
voice subsidy will now be
transitioned to the new funding
mechanism announced today (for
projects that meet the new
targets).<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Further to a broad
consultation, more than 50,000
Canadians provided their views
on the telecommunications
services they need to
participate in the digital
economy.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Quote<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #eeeeee 4.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 17.0pt;margin-left:0cm;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:17.25pt;box-sizing:border-box">
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">“Access
to broadband Internet service is
vital and a basic
telecommunication service all
Canadians are entitled to
receive. Canadians who
participated during our process
told us that no matter where
they live or work in our vast
country — whether in a small
town in northern Yukon, a rural
area of eastern Quebec or in
downtown Calgary — everyone
needs access to high-quality
fixed Internet and mobile
services. We are doing our part
to bring broadband services to
rural and remote communities.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">The
availability of broadband
Internet, however, is an issue
that can’t be solved by the CRTC
alone. All players in the
Canadian communications
landscape will need to do their
part to ensure Canadians have
access to the services they need
to participate in the digital
economy.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">All
levels of government must
address gaps in digital
literacy. Affordability concerns
are best addressed by the
emergence of a dynamic market
place where service providers
compete on price for
telecommunication services, in
conjunction with social
responsibility programs of
telecommunications carriers and
different levels of government.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">High
quality and reliable digital
connectivity is essential for
the quality of life of Canadians
and Canada’s economic
prosperity.”<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">-
Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and
CEO, CRTC<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</blockquote>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Additional
links<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><a href="http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172409" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">Backgrounder
1 – Summary of key decision
points</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><a href="http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172419" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">Backgrounder
2 – Further details
regarding new funding
mechanism</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2016/2016-496.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">Telecom
Regulatory Policy CRTC
2016-496 – Modern
telecommunications services
– The path forward for
Canada’s digital economy</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><a href="http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/internet.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">Basic
telecommunications services</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="m_4868765766048890196m5131064100395331154m-2007846983746545721text-center" style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box" align="center"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">-
30 -<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<h2 style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Contacts<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Media
Relations<br>
<a href="tel:%28819%29%20997-9403" target="_blank">(819) 997-9403</a> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">General
Inquiries<br>
<a href="tel:%28819%29%20997-0313" target="_blank">(819) 997-0313</a> <br>
Toll-free: 1 (877) 249-CRTC
(2782) <br>
TTY: <a href="tel:%28819%29%20994-0423" target="_blank">(819) 994-0423</a> <br>
<a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/question.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">Ask a
question or make a complaint</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.65pt;margin-left:0cm;background:#f9f9f9;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333">Stay
Connected<br>
Follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/CRTCeng" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc">@CRTCeng</span></a><br>
Like us on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/crtceng" target="_blank"><span style="color:#7834bc"></span></a><a class="m_4868765766048890196moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.facebook.com/crtceng" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/<wbr>crtceng</a></span><u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br clear="all">
<u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="m_4868765766048890196hoenzb"><span style="color:#888888">-- <u></u><u></u></span></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Assistant
Professor<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">University
of Alberta<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Faculty
of Extension<br>
Phone: <a href="tel:%28780%29%20248-1110" target="_blank">780-248-1110</a><br>
Email: <a href="mailto:rob.mcmahon@ualberta.ca" target="_blank">rob.mcmahon@ualberta.ca</a> <br>
<a href="http://firstmile.ca" target="_blank">http://firstmile.ca</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br clear="all">
<u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-- <u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Josh
Tabish</span></b><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
Campaigns Director, OpenMedia<br>
<a href="tel:778-990-1218" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">778-990-1218</span></a><br>
<a href="http://openmedia.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">http://openmedia.org</span></a><i><br>
</i><a href="mailto:josh@openmedia.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">josh@openmedia.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jdtabish" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">Follow me on Twitter</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/josh.tabish" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">Friend me on Facebook</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">PGP: F26C
CF9F 8037 0C09 AD7D E147 45B4 2FCF F2FB 862F<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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