Whereas provincial and federal funding programs to improve rural broadband connectivity require an applicant to have experience building and operating broadband infrastructure networks, rendering many local governments dependent on private Internet service providers to select which project areas can apply for funding; And whereas there is a lack of telecommunications industry transparency around levels of service, leading to mapping discrepancies on the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map, which creates significant challenges when applying for funding: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial and federal government funding programs for universal broadband Internet should directly engage with local government to prioritize the areas of greatest need when awarding funding for broadband projects; And be it further resolved that UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments, in their efforts to make broadband Internet access universally available, require Internet service providers to make public to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada which properties are served to ensure projects can be more easily implemented and do not face unnecessary barriers.
Ministry of Citizens Services While most people in BC, about 94 according the latest Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Monitoring Report, have high-speed internet access, there are still rural and non-urban Indigenous communities without adequate internet speed. The Province works with all levels of government, First Nations, the private sector, and funding agencies to encourage the expansion of high-speed internet services to more rural and Indigenous communities. The Province, Union of British Columbia Municipalities and Northern Development Initiative Trust launched an independent study to understand the differences between internet speeds reported on the federal broadband map on the availability of high-speed internet in British Columbia and the performance people are experiencing in their communities. The results of this study are expected early in 2022 and will help inform next steps to further support underserved communities as the Province continues its work to advocate for people across our province. The results of the study will be shared with the federal government. The Connecting British Columbia program provides grant funding to internet service providers to encourage investments in rural and Indigenous communities. Grants from the program can also be used to support regional governments with planning projects that can be an important first step toward achieving their connectivity goals. The Ministry of Citizens Services also has an initiative called Connected Communities that can help local governments and First Nations benefit from telecommunications expertise that maximize the benefits for connectivity in their communities.