SHAWINIGAN – The Québec government today announced a new $100 million Régions branchées (Connected Regions) project.
The projects (submit yours now!) receiving funding will deliver reliable, high-speed broadband Internet service at a cost comparable to urban services, reads the press release, in French. The province made it clear it is seeking projects which hit the CRTC defined broadband threshold of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps up.
The new money should help over 70,000 homes and several thousand businesses in Quebec which are currently underserved by their current connectivity choices.
The zones being given priority with this new round of funding were not eligible under the last program put in place by the Quebec government and will also not be covered by funding proposals made to the CRTC’s broadband fund or the federal government’s funding programs, says the provincial government release.
Régions branchées is part of a $400 million rural broadband plan to be rolled out “over the next few years,” says the release, in French. It has two other components, which will see the province provide additional financial help to service providers who apply for federal government funding or CRTC funding.
The province is accepting applications for funding until November 18. Click here for the link to the project page.
Municipalities, school boards and band councils can propose projects in collaboration with a recognized Internet service provider, as well.
The previous provincial broadband program, says the province, will already connect up to 110,000 households of the 340,000 who do not have access to broadband Internet by 2022.
Bell Canada said in a statement it “welcomes partnerships with governments to expand broadband services to areas that cannot be supported by private investment alone," according to Nicholas Payant, vice-president, connectivity and reliability.
"As a partner of the regions, we intend to participate in this call for projects. It is vital for all regions of Quebec to have high-speed Internet access for their economic growth and development,” added Videotron president and CEO Jean-Francois Pruneau in a statement.
