Government Funded Internet Access For All

Meeting The Needs Of Households And Businesses

Speeds of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload reflect what is needed for Canadians to be fully engaged online, and align with the CRTC’s universal service objective.Footnote 2

While most urban regions of the country already have access to broadband that meets this target, it will take time and substantial investments for all rural households and businesses to have access to the 50/10 Mbps target. The Government of Canada’s investments will aim for 90% of Canadians to have access to this target by the end of 2021, for 95% to have access by 2026, and for the remaining 5%, in the hardest-to-reach areas, to have access by 2030.

There is potential to support economic growth by meeting these connectivity needs. Almost all industries now rely on connectivity to improve their productivity and work more efficiently. One of the major challenges to business development in rural and remote communities is the lack of infrastructure, particularly telecommunications infrastructure.

Pay For The Broadband Connections Directly

A major flaw in the FCCs program has historically been to subsidize the operating costs of rural telephone companies rather than specifically funding broadband buildout. As one rural executive explained, the program only paid you in arrears for the network you had already built. Under the leadership of Chair Julius Genachowski in 2011, the FCC reformed the program to provide long-term funding assurances in return for a buildout commitment. I recall painful negotiations with local telephone companies over just how much they would spend on expanding their broadband reach in return for how much the FCC would subsidize.

The 2011 reforms led to the ongoing program to auction off the right to receive FCC support for unserved areas. It is a so-called Dutch auction where the company that agrees to the lowest subsidy to serve an area wins. The 2011 reforms were a step in the right direction, despite the issues caused by its technology neutral roots. The jury is still out on the Trump FCCs implementation, in part because the FCC lacks precise information where there is inadequate service.

If we are to have universal access to high-speed broadband, we need to stop trying to reform a telephone-era program and focus directly on the goal of fiber everywhere.

See More On The Digital Divide

• When the choice is internet or food, broadband policies aren’t working

The digital divide is a problem that’s dogged policy makers for decades. In spite of billions of dollars spent by the federal government each year to get more Americans connected, there are still at least 19 million Americans who don’t have access to broadband, according to the Federal Communications Commission. That number is likely an underestimate, the FCC admits, given that the maps the government uses to determine who has service and who doesn’t are grossly inaccurate.

Though policy makers for years have talked about the problem, the issue has taken on a new urgency over the past year as the pandemic and resulting lockdown provided a stark reminder that having adequate broadband is no longer a luxury. As schools and offices across the US have shut down, the internet has become as necessary to day-to-day life as electricity and running water.

During his campaign, Biden said he would expand broadband to every American. Biden’s campaign promised $20 billion for rural broadband infrastructure for both wired and wireless networks to help bring internet access to areas where it simply doesn’t exist now. It also promised to include help for local municipalities seeking to build their own broadband networks.

Democrats say now’s the time to make big changes, much as the federal government did nearly a century ago when it brought electricity to rural America.

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Internet Service Provider Programs

• Internet First

Many ISPs also offer their own assistance programs for families with low income or other needs that wouldnt otherwise be able to afford internet access. If you dont qualify for Lifeline or prefer to use the benefit for phone service, this can be a great option.

First, find out which providers service your area:

Altice runs both Optimum and Suddenlink, and customers with access to either ISP can sign up for Altice Advantage Internet, which offers internet speeds up to 30 Mbps for $14.99 per month for those who qualify.

The Altice Advantage Internet program is available to those who have a child recipient of the NSLP in the household, receive Supplemental Security Income , or are US military veterans who receive public assistance.

Visit the Altice Advantage Internet webpage to see if you qualify and apply.

AT& Ts Access program offers internet speeds up to 10 Mbps to eligible low-income families for $5$10 per month. To qualify for Access, customers must have at least one family member who participates in the SNAP program.

Visit the Access page to fill out an application and see if you qualify.

Internet Assist costs $14.99 per month and offers faster speeds than Xfinity Internet Essentials. But the ISP charges an extra $5.00 per month if you want WiFi.

To apply for Spectrum Internet Assist, call Spectrum at .

To apply for Xfinity Internet Essentials, visit the Internet Essentials website.

• National School Lunch Program
• Public Housing

• Medicaid

Helping Close The Homework Gap

The $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund helps schools and libraries close the Homework Gap by providing funding for the reasonable costs of laptop and tablet computers Wi-Fi hotspots modems routers and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Addressing Disparities In Access

The federal government is aware of the disparities in broadband access that exist and working on ways to decrease the gap in broadband access between AI/AN and non-AI/AN areas.

Indian Affairs

• National Tribal Broadband Grant : The purpose of the NTBG program is to bring broadband services to AI/AN communities that need them. Grant recipients can hire qualified consultants to research the potential deployment or expansion of high-speed internet transmitted through DSL, BPL, cable modem, fiber, wireless, and satellite.
• National Tribal Broadband Summit: The annual National Tribal Broadband Summit is a unique opportunity for tribal leaders, representatives of tribal organizations, representatives of schools and school districts serving under-connected Native students, tribal libraries and cultural programs, federal program managers, and policy-makers at multiple levels of government to come together and share their innovations in expanding broadband access and adoption in tribal communities.

The FCC established a Native Nations Communications Task Force comprised of 19 AI/AN members and eight FCC members to carry out the FCCs mission of increasing access to affordable internet services on AI/AN lands.

The FCCs Universal Service Fund currently provides support through four programs:

The Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review

In July 2018 the Government published The Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review that set clear, ambitious targets for the availability of full fibre and 5G networks.

What does gigabit-capable mean?

A gigabit is the fastest and most reliable available broadband speed and is the same as 1,000 megabits per second – so its a big leap forward in connection speeds that will benefit you into the future, whether at home or work.Gigabit-capable means that the connection can handle speeds of 1,000 Mbps but users only sign up to speeds they can afford. As demand increases, users can choose the option to pay for more speed as required.

An outside-in approach was proposed in the review to ensure that gigabit-capable broadband to premises in the final 10% can be delivered along with the rest of the UK. Since the report was published, the scope of this scheme for the hardest to reach premises has increased from the final 10% to 20%.

In May 2019, the Chancellor announced a £5 billion commitment to fund gigabit-capable broadband for the hardest to reach 20% of homes and businesses and in the Spending Review in November 2020 the budgetary phasing of the programme was confirmed.

A more detailed update on the procurement pipeline is available in the Project Gigabit Delivery Plan summer update.

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Government Approves Emergency $50 Internet Subsidy For Low

The federal government this week approved an emergency program to provide more money to low-income families for high-speed internet access, finally providing what has become a work and schooling lifeline for many Americans in the pandemic.

This is a program that will help those at risk of digital disconnection, said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a press release. It will help those sitting in cars in parking lots just to catch a Wi-Fi signal to go online for work. It will help those lingering outside the library with a laptop just to get a wireless signal for remote learning. It will help those who worry about choosing between paying a broadband bill and paying rent or buying groceries.

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The Federal Communications Commission approved the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program called Lifeline that provides a benefit of up to $50 a month for broadband service and up to $75 a month for Tribal area residents. Eligible households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 for a computer or tablet.

The pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide, with reliable internet a necessity for students learning from a distance and adults logging in for remote work or job searching routine activities they typically do simultaneously during the week.

How Are Programs Being Funded

The Province of PEI has signed various agreements to improve services for Islanders. Two federal-provincial agreements have been signed with Bell Canada and Xplornet. The PEI Broadband Fund provides additional finances to help Island residents access improved and expanded Internet access. The Province, through the PEIBF, is also entering into other agreements with local Internet Service Providers, businesses, and communities. Learn more about approved projects.

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Companies That Offer Reduced Priced Internet Access Or Inexpensive Computers

Lack of free or low cost internet connection is an issue for school-aged kids. The National telecommunication reported that over 17% of teens are faced with an academic burden and are unable to complete homework assignments with a lack of reliable internet. Many businesses are stepping up to the plate to offer low cost or even free Internet as well as Wi-Fi access to families, in particular youth.

With over one million people enrolled nationwide, the Internet Essentials program from Comcast is the largest by far. There are a number of conditions that need to be met by applicants as this is a regular utility type company, and the terms of the program can also change at any time. Some of them include the following.

This service will only be available in territories that Comcast covers. So the applicant to the program needs to live where they can provide service too. So if you are only covered by Time Warner, Verizon, or another provider, you will need to call those companies for any assistance they may offer.

The reduced prices will only be provided to families that have one or more children enrolled into the federal government National School Lunch Program. If someone has not enrolled into this program, but think they may qualify, now is the time to enroll the student.

In order to receive the low cost access to the Internet, the customer cant be a current Comcast subscriber. The timeframe will normally be for the last 3 months, but this can change as well.

Using Government Funding For Your Internet Trainer Business

While there are many government funding programmes available for small business owners across the UK. Your business has to be eligible for them before you can plan on spending the money. As a Internet Trainer Business, you may have a number of startup or expansion expenses you want to have covered via government funds, so it is crucial that you understand what you can use the funds for before you apply. Speak to a funding expert to better understand how to use the funds and what you can use the funds for.

As a small business in the UK, the below are some of the business activities which you may be able to obtain funding for

Some of the more common funding requirements that business owners try and take advantage of, including those starting a Internet Trainer Business business include: to pay for consulting services, to help with purchase of new or used equipment, startup/expansion costs, operating capital/cash flow, and wage support.

If you are unsure of what you need for your small business just yet, speaking with a funding expert or a business consultant will help narrow down the needs. Speak to an expert now.

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Why Is It Important

Today, high-speed Internet access is essential for all Canadians, no matter where they live. It is necessary to telework, to access on-line medicine, for distance learning and more. It helps businesses thrive, no matter where they are located, and it ensures that rural Canadians can transition smoothly to the digital economy. But there is a connectivity gap Canadians living in rural and remote areas have less access to high-speed Internet than those living in urban areas.

That is why the Government of Canada launched the Universal Broadband Fund, which is designed to meet the needs of those living in rural and remote communities.

Commonly Used Terms And Their Definitions

The speed at which the user receives data from the Internet — for example, the speed at which a large file can be downloaded from a website.

Fibre optic line

A type of cable that uses glass threads or plastic fibres to transmit data using pulses of light. Fibre can offer much faster speeds than, for example, copper wires.

Fixed wireless

A type of wireless service for providing high-speed Internet to a fixed location, such as a home or business. The wireless signal is typically transmitted from a tower to an antenna installed on the roof of the home or business in question.

Gigabits per second

There are 1,000 megabits in a gigabit. Therefore, 1 gigabit per second means 1,000 megabits per second.

Long-Term Evolution

A standard for wireless communications . LTE is commonly referred to as 4G cellular technology.

Low-Earth orbit constellation

A system of satellites that orbit much closer to the earth than traditional communications satellites. A LEO constellation can have hundreds of satellites.

Megabits per second

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As A Internet Trainer Business What Is Needed To Apply For Government Funding

When you are ready to apply for funding for your small business, be it a Internet Trainer Business, or any type of business, its important to understand that each funding program has its own criteria which you must follow.

Since each grant, loan, and funding programme is different in what they require of you as an applicant, it is important to read the qualification, criteria, and requirements being asked. You can speak to a funding expert to get a better understanding of this and what is specifically needed in your case.

If you are ready, you can speak to a funding expert now.

Generally speaking, the must-haves before you apply to any government funding programme includes:

In addition to these 4 critical must-haves, you will have to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria which can often ask that you are in the correct industry, location, have the right funding needs, that you apply on time ..etc

Each of the general requirements is something you should have ready before you decide to apply.

Making The Best Use Of Infrastructure

High-speed broadband and mobile wireless networks are not just a collection of advanced electronic gear. They also include infrastructure assets namely, the non-electrical pieces needed to roll out a network. These assets can be referred to as passive infrastructure. Efficient access to, and use of, these assets while respecting safety and other concerns can dramatically reduce deployment costs.

In Canada, responsibility for infrastructure assets is shared across multiple bodies and levels of government, meaning private sector operators and federal, territorial, provincial, municipal governments and Indigenous communities each can play a role to cooperate on how they are used.

An efficient way to expand connectivity as quickly and cheaply as possible is to take advantage of infrastructure assets that are already built and in place. This is why it is vital that measures be explored to reduce deployment costs, speed up deployment and reduce barriers to entry.

The Government of Canada will promote the importance of access to infrastructure assets. Indeed, improving access to existing infrastructure can reduce deployment costs by as much as 50%.

One way to make the best possible use of infrastructure assets is through a consistent and streamlined approach to issuing permits. Rendering this process more timely and efficient will help to standardize and streamline the construction, installation and maintenance of infrastructure assets.

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