Indigenous and local governments wishing to participate in the Internet speed study are encouraged to complete an online questionnaire, providing contextual and background information about Internet speeds experienced in their community. For the purpose of this study, local and Indigenous governments can improve the accuracy and depth of the Internet speed data for their area, by having their residents, businesses, and other community stakeholders complete the CIRA Internet speed test.
Questionnaire
This Internet speed study focuses on communities experiencing discrepancies between actual Internet service speeds, and federal government data on the Internet service speeds that should be available. To clarify, this study will not include province-wide field testing. Because province-wide field testing does not form part of this project, TANEx Engineering will instead use a questionnaire to gather background information about these communities—information that can help to identify some of the factors that contribute to the discrepancies in Internet service speeds. Completion of the questionnaire is important, to maximize the information that TANEx will have to work with. If a local or Indigenous government has not completed the questionnaire, then we may not be able to include them in the Internet speed study.
Internet Speed Test
For the purpose of this Internet speed study, Internet speed performance data will be considered alongside background information about communities. Internet speed performance data from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), will be gathered for all of the communities and areas identified in the above online questionnaire. Some data may already exist, from previous CIRA speed tests conducted independently by individuals or organizations. However, it is useful and important for more residents and stakeholders from these communities to complete a CIRA speed test, and ensure that they answer the questions about Internet service. The more tests conducted, the better—numerous tests, at different times of the day and week, and they can even be scheduled to occur automatically.
Background
This Internet speed study aims to better understand the factors contributing to the difference between Internet speed data published on the federal government’s National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map, and community experiences in BC. This study is a collaboration between the provincial Ministry of Citizens’ Services, Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), and UBCM, with research and analysis to be carried out by TANEx Engineering.
For further information about the online questionnaire or the CIRA speed test, please contact Kerri-Anne Thomas, Project Manager, TANEx Engineering.