CRTC to launch inquiry into telecommunication by satellite
Effort to improve service to Nunavut communities
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 23, 2013
NUNAVUT
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is promising to conduct an inquiry into satellite transport services necessary for providing Internet and other telecommunications services in Nunavut.
Northwestel has been asked by the CRTC to resubmit its modernization plan by March 31 to improve the capacity of the company's infrastructure. - photo courtesy of Northwestel |
"Anybody in Iqaluit or the Eastern Arctic knows broadband connectivity is outrageously expensive.
"What drives that for the most part is the satellite linkages," said CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais during a Dec. 18 conference call with media.
The commission announced its intention to launch the inquiry next year in a written decision on Northwestel's modernization plan, which it accepted with amendments.
Under the $233-million project, communities in Nunavut can expect 4G wireless upgrades and satellite voice replacement.
However, due to high costs, only terrestrial based communities will see significant improvement in their Internet services.
Once the work is completed, Internet speeds will meet or exceed the commission's target of five-mbps download and one-mbps upload.
"Northwestel would only commit to providing Internet speeds of 1.5 mbps and 384 kilobits per second for satellite-served communities," the CRTC stated in its report.
Both Northwestel and SSi rely on Telesat for satellite services.
Northerners pointed out during the public hearing on Northwestel's plan how unfortunate it was that Telesat chose not to participate in the proceedings.
"That made our information gathering, fact gathering even more of a challenge," said Blais, adding the inquiry will allow the CRTC to rebuild its knowledge on Telesat.
"Because we've forborne from regulating Telesat for some time, our evidence base here at the commission is lacking."
The CRTC will look into rates charged, satellite capacity and the costs associated with providing transport satellite services.
Blais noted it is to early to determine what specific outcomes will arise from the process, which will be carried out by an inquiry officer.
The CRTC also announced it's looking at new ways to fund infrastructure investments in satellite and terrestrial transport services.
One option the commission is exploring is introducing a subsidy regime to support telecommunication services in remote areas of Canada.
Further, it has asked that Northwestel revise and resubmit its modernization plan by March 31 with a "focus on implementing solutions to improve the capacity of the company's transport infrastructure, including the reinstatement of fibre investments."
But Northwestel shouldn't be alone in its efforts, said Blais, adding it will require a number of public and private partners to solve the issue.
"If you asked me, 'Have we reached the final destination to provide Northerners with (reliable, affordable and high quality telecommunications services)' I would say, 'No'," said Blais.
"But I think we're well on the way with having put down some very important foundation to make sure residences and businesses in the North have the kind of telecommunication services one would expect in the second decade of the 21st century."
