The CRTC announced Monday it has committed more than $15 million from its $750-million Broadband Fund to SaskTel and Access Communications Co-operative to build approximately 455 kilometres of new transport fibre infrastructure that will deliver high-speed internet to 3,880 homes across 27 communities in Saskatchewan.
These are the final projects selected for funding from the CRTC’s third call for applications to the Broadband Fund. The next round of funding applications will open in 2026, the CRTC said in a press release.
“We are taking action to help ensure that Canadians have access to high-quality Internet services,” said CRTC Chairperson and CEO Vicky Eatrides, in a statement. “The projects announced today will connect 27 communities in Saskatchewan, including two Indigenous communities. This will help increase access to remote work and learning, and enhance economic opportunities.”
SaskTel is to receive $1.77 million in funding to build 75 kilometres of transport fibre infrastructure serving 126 households in Muscowpetung First Nation, and an additional $687,000 to construct a 30-kilometre fibre network benefiting 199 homes in the Village of Dodsland.
Access Communications Co-operative has been awarded $12.89 million from the CRTC’s Broadband Fund to build 350 kilometres of transport fibre infrastructure that will benefit 3,555 households in 25 communities. These include Crystal Bay–Sunset, Day’s Beach, Evergreen Acres, Evergreen Brightsand, Fairholme, Horseshoe Bay, Indian Point–Golden Sands, Kivimaa–Moonlight Bay, Kopp’s Kove, Lanz Point, Livelong, Martinson’s Beach, Metinota, Mowery Beach, Parkland Beach, Pelican Point, Powm Beach, Prince, Spruce Lake, Summerfield Beach, Sunset View Beach, Thunderchild First Nation, Turtle Lake Lodge, Turtle Lake South Bay, and Vawn.
This awarding of Broadband Fund money comes on the heels of Access Communications’ announcement last week it is bringing high-speed internet to 34 Saskatchewan communities over the next year through the community-owned co-operative’s major infrastructure program. Access has told Cartt last week’s announcement does not involve CRTC funding.
