News & Events
News
Iristel’s CEO tells us how he fought the Big 3, and what needs to change
The Canadian telecommunications industry is notoriously inhospitable to newcomers. Aspiring players undeterred by the exorbitant costs of entering the heavily regulated space typically stumble over bureaucratic obstacles and fizzle out before launch. Those who do manage to establish themselves must contend with the country’s telecom oligopoly, consisting of Bell, Telus, and Rogers. Recent takeovers indicate […]
Lend your voice to ARCC’s Broadband Fund policy review consultation
The ARCC Policy Committee has drafted a response to the CRTC Telecom Notice of Consultation 2023-89: Call for comments – Broadband Fund policy review. The Broadband Fund was launched in 2018 to build or upgrade broadband infrastructure across Canada. Since then, $226.5 million has been committed to broadband projects through the fund. In this consultation, the […]
Join an arcc committee
The ARCC is seeking interested community members to join its planning / policy committees
CRTC SHIFTS TO CHAMPIONING INTERNET COMPETITION
Last week, the CRTC announced it would immediately lower wholesale internet rates by 10% as part of a larger reexamination of Canada’s regime for wholesale regulation. This move is intended to improve competition among internet providers by making it easier for the smaller companies to lease bandwidth from the bigger ones. The CRTC also announced it would […]
Lend your voice to ARCC’s submission to ISED
ARCC’s response to this consultation was submitted on November 21, 2022 with over 20 seconders, including the City of Calgary and other municipalities. To stay informed of future consultations, sign up for our mailing list. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is currently undertaking a consultation to inform its management of spectrum over the next […]
Profile: Sturgeon County Broadband Network
Responding to a critical need highlighted by local businesses and residents, Sturgeon County has partnered with Canadian Fiber Optics to bring high-speed internet to subdivisions, hamlets, and businesses parks in the region, starting with its southwest quadrant. Increasing demand for high speed internet in Sturgeon county: pre-pandemic to present Even prior to the onset of […]
Profile: The City of Brooks
To attract new businesses and homebuyers — and improve internet speeds for current residents — the City of Brooks has begun construction on a next-generation fibre optic network, utilizing an open-access, co-ownership model. Slow speeds slow down growth Information from the Canadian Internet Registration Association (CIRA) shows that approximately 72% of Brooks’ residents are currently […]
Internet experts and leaders share local solutions at the Alberta Rural Connectivity Forum
Last month, the Alberta Rural Connectivity Coalition (ARCC) hosted its second annual Alberta Rural Connectivity Forum, which brought together community leaders from across the province. The two-day event, held in Sylvan Lake, highlighted the differing internet access issues faced by many Alberta communities, and evaluated opportunities available through the Government of Alberta’s new rural broadband […]
Alberta budget and broadband strategy hold promise, but concerns remain
Last month, Alberta’s Finance Minister Travis Toews tabled the provincial government’s Budget 2022. It builds on a number of commitments outlined in the government’s Alberta Recovery Plan and Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy by introducing a number of investments relevant to advanced education, innovation, and skilled labour development. The provincial government is earmarking […]
New report takes a comprehensive look at Alberta’s internet gaps and opportunities
After a year of researching, Cybera (Alberta’s not-for-profit technology accelerator) has unveiled a comprehensive update to its State of Alberta Digital Infrastructure Report. This timely analysis comes as internet connectivity and access to high-speed broadband have taken on heightened levels of importance in the province, due to COVID-19. The updated report, first published in 2014, provides an […]