OTTAWA – The CRTC has extended by nearly a month the deadline for applications for money from the $750-million Broadband Fund.
A CRTC notice, released Monday, said the third round of applications – to connect underserved communities to high-speed internet – will now be due on May 16, pushing back the April 18 deadline.
“The Commission considers that extending the deadline for the submission of applications would provide potential applicants with sufficient time to effectively participate in the public hearing [on telecommunications in the far north] and submit applications in response to the third call for applications,” the CRTC said.
The decision came after far north provider SSi Canada sent a letter to the regulator asking for the extension, saying the original deadline coincided with the public hearing and some providers have limited resources to dedicate to both applications and the hearing together.
The CRTC said SSi was supported via letters or emails by Rogers, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the Council of Yukon First Nations, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Kluane First Nation, Taku River Tlingit First Nation, and the Yukon Utilities Consumers’ Group.
