| | Hi Frank -
Re: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/12/canada-sets-universal-broadband-goal-of-50mbps-and-unlimited-data-for-all/
Very confusing news release. Beyond stating a standard, already mostly achieved in high-density areas, the NR is difficult to understand. In fact, 5/1 service will still be permitted in Last Mile scenarios, microwave towers (for instance) may still be used, and for many remote users the only achievable improvement will new-generation LEO satellites. Advances -- with cost mitigations -- can be made, but expecting that outcome requires us to suspend cynicism about government direction and incumbent performance.
No large country with geographically dispersed population can establish and maintain universal boadband without public money. In Canada, CRTC states ...
— " The CRTC recognizes that achieving the universal service objective for Canadians is a major undertaking with multiple complex challenges, requiring billions of dollars in new investments. The combined efforts of all governments, along with industry and other stakeholders, are critical to achieving this goal. The BTS decision, in its creation of a new funding mechanism to support broadband deployment in underserved areas of the country, is only one part of what must be a collaborative effort to bring universal broadband availability to Canadians."
See:
" Over the course of the proceeding, Canadians delivered a clear message to the CRTC: Broadband is vital, but key gaps in availability and adoption remain. The testimony of First Nations communities demonstrated that these are the most disadvantaged communities in almost all respects, but other Canadians also face significant barriers to broadband Internet access. Many rural and remote regions of Canada lack the infrastructure needed to make high-quality fixed broadband services available to households and businesses similar to those in urban areas. As for mobile wireless broadband, there are still major transportation roads in the country that lack reliable coverage."
This document (though energy-centric and dated) gives a sense of the issue. In many cases designated areas consist of populations numbering less than 100. Others may be resource-dependent company towns, with short life expectancies.
Also note:
- CRTC is not the same as FCC. CRTC reports to the Minister of Canadian Heritage -- telecommunications with cultural and societal contexts
- The sitting government has launched long-overdue programs of reconciliation and inclusion with indigenous people
- Simultaneously, a national infrastructure program is being implemented
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Understandably, the confusing NR has been widely misreported and misunderstood. Compare this ...
—" Money will be distributed to applicants based upon a competitive process. Funding can be used either for fixed broadband service or to upgrade mobile networks, but the goals of 50Mbps/10Mbps and unlimited data for all is specifically for home Internet service. About 10 percent will be allocated to communities that are dependent on satellite access"
to this ...
—" The program will primarily support new backbone infrastructure to underserved communities to connect institutions like schools, hospitals, libraries and First Nation band offices as well as enable improved residential and business service. A portion of the program funding will include upgrades to backbone infrastructure as well as last-mile infrastructure projects to households and businesses who do not have speeds of 5 Megabits per second (Mbps)."
and this ...
— " A portion of Connect to Innovate program funds will also support "last-mile" connectivity projects to households, at speeds of at least 5 Megabits per second (Mbps), where gaps continue to persist."
Different sources and contradictory information.
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On the Cook list, the question was "Will it work?" My view: great improvement can be made. But universal fibre access with 50/10 broadband to remote communities with populations of ± 50 to ±200? Not feasible.
Can government formulate an achievable plan? Low expectations. Private-sector? Zero expectations. The private sector had no plan to service remote communities and has confined itself to maximizing revenue extraction from captive customers in high-density areas.
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There have been different proposals for Pan-Arctic fibre but so far, nothing. Plus, gouging is a concern.
However, Canada has a number of railway spur lines extending deep into the north. In the east, the last 200 km of one line is owned by the Innu, and conceivably the ROW and/or poles could be shared in some agreement. Cost-wise, preferable to running new fibre through miles of muskeg.
The endpoints of spurs are marked "X", below.
So that's it: a long-term expensive proposition, or none at all ;)
Jim
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