CRTC Expands Broadband Fund to Connect Indigenous Communities to High Speed Internet and Mobile Services Across Canada

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is stepping up efforts to bring high-speed Internet and mobile services to Indigenous communities across Canada.

Through its Broadband Fund, the commission is focusing on making it simpler and faster for communities to get connected.

Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and CEO of the CRTC, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“Many Indigenous communities still face a gap in access to essential communications services.

We are helping to close this gap by making it easier to get connected through the Broadband Fund.

This is the next step in the CRTC’s work to help connect everyone in Canada to reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet and cellphone services.”

Expanding the Broadband Fund’s Reach

The Broadband Fund has already contributed to connecting 135 Indigenous communities to high-speed Internet and mobile networks.

Notable achievements include providing connectivity to all 25 communities in Nunavut and funding fibre Internet for Atlin, a remote Indigenous community in northern British Columbia.

The CRTC’s initiative is part of a wider collaboration involving federal, provincial, and territorial governments aimed at reaching underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous areas.

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Easing the Process for Communities

Recognizing the administrative hurdles that communities often face, the CRTC is actively seeking input on how to simplify applications for funding.

Proposed measures include:

• Reducing the time and workload required to submit a Broadband Fund project.
• Offering more flexible deadlines for applicants.
• Cutting down the amount of information required after a project is approved.

These steps build on prior improvements designed to make it faster and easier for communities to access funding.

How to Share Your Views

The CRTC is accepting comments from the public until September 18, 2026.

Interested parties can participate by:

• Filling out the online form.
• Submitting a link to an oral intervention video via the online form.
• Writing to the Secretary General at CRTC, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0N2.
• Sending a fax to 819-994-0218.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and organizations that need help submitting comments can contact the CRTC’s Indigenous Relations Team at era-irt@crtc.gc.ca.

Summaries of the notice of consultation are also available in multiple Indigenous languages.

Impact and Consequences

Improving connectivity in Indigenous communities has far-reaching implications:

• Enhanced access to education, healthcare, and business opportunities.
• Greater inclusion in Canada’s digital economy.
• Reduced digital divide between remote areas and urban centers.

However, delays or gaps in funding could prolong inequities in access to vital communication services.

What’s Next?

The CRTC plans to consider all public input before issuing further decisions as part of its ongoing Broadband Fund review.

Communities, organizations, and stakeholders are encouraged to provide detailed feedback to help shape the program’s next phase.

Summary

The CRTC is making a concerted push to connect Indigenous communities through the Broadband Fund.

By reducing bureaucratic barriers and soliciting community input, the commission aims to ensure faster, more reliable access to high-speed Internet and cellphone services in underserved areas.

Bulleted Takeaways

• CRTC’s Broadband Fund has connected 135 Indigenous communities, including all 25 in Nunavut.
• Funding is committed to bring fibre Internet to Atlin, BC.
• The CRTC is seeking public comments to simplify application and reduce administrative burden.
• Deadline for comments: September 18, 2026.
• Indigenous organizations can access support through the CRTC Indigenous Relations Team.
• Efforts are aimed at closing the digital divide and promoting equitable access to communication services.