OTTAWA – While many are still digesting Industry Canada’s new spectrum proposals, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has thrown its support behind the consultation, saying that it will help to shine the spotlight on affordable broadband access.
Quoting 2012 CRTC data that found that 75% of Canadian households had Internet access at 1.5 Mbps download speeds, 62% had Internet access at 5 Mbps download speeds, and only 72% could access LTE-speed of service, PIAC said that changes are needed to allow all Canadians access to affordable Internet service at a speed that supports functions such as video streaming and e-health.
“Deployment using in the 3.5 GHz spectrum has generally been low, and broadband penetration in Canada is also low, or available but unaffordable”, said PIAC executive director and general counsel, John Lawford, in a statement. “Therefore it is important the Government is taking steps to get licensees to actually provide service, or clear the way for other willing service providers.”
PIAC added that it will participate in the government’s consultation, and advocate for measures that contribute to the availability of affordable broadband access for all Canadians regardless of their location.
