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Broadband Infrastructure Quality Gaps in Ontario: Needs-Based Broadband Funding as Economic Stimulus
(2020)
Abstract
Based on more than 18 million crowdsourced Internet connection tests conducted by Ontarians in 2019, this report provides an empirical assessment of gaps in broadband infrastructure quality within Ontario. We identify Ontario communities where average effective speeds people experience remain below the speed target of 5 Mbps (download) established by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) back in 2011. The current download speed target is 50 Mbps. Given the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has made reliable Internet connectivity vital to families and businesses, we call on telecommunications service providers and all levels of government to prioritize improving broadband service quality in these high-need communities in Ontario sooner than later.
Keywords
- Broadband,
- rural,
- Ontario,
- COVID-19
Disciplines
Publication Date
2020
Citation Information
Rajabiun, R., Hambly, H. & Worden, D. (2020) Broadband Infrastructure Quality Gaps in Ontario: Needs-Based Broadband Funding as Economic Stimulus. Policy Brief, 3. Rural and Regional Broadband (R2B2), University of Guelph.