In the News
Globe & Mail: CRTC chair makes strong call for national broadband strategy
In a forceful and unusual statement delivered in the middle of a public hearing, the chairman of Canada’s telecom regulator called on governments as well as the telecom industry itself to contribute to the development of a “coherent national broadband strategy.”
Expressing disappointment that Internet access and affordability received little attention in the country’s fall election, Jean-Pierre Blais, chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), noted that funding announced in the Liberals’ recent budget “doesn’t appear to be tied to a clear policy on broadband and its deployment in Canada.”
Globe & Mail: Public interest groups propose fund to pay for expanded Internet access
Would you pay an extra 72 cents a month on your own telecom bill to support Internet access for low-income Canadians and those living in remote, hard-to-serve areas?
This question formed part of a wide-ranging discussion around affordability and access to high-speed Internet on Thursday as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) continued its review of “basic telecom services.”
AMI: Alejandra Ruiz of ACORN on basic internet
Toronto ACORN member Alejandra Ruiz spoke to AMI about our Internet for All campaign:
ACORN Canada members fight for affordable internet
ACORN Canada's tireless efforts to keep the high cost of internet in the public eye led to our members being invited to the CRTC's public hearing on internet access and affordability. Last Thursday, 10 ACORN members told personal stories about how not having access to home internet has impeded their - and their childrens' - success in the digital economy.
Huffington Post: Rogers Offers Cheaper Internet For Low-Income Households
Rogers Communications plans to help 150,000 Canadians get on the web by offering less expensive broadband rates to low-income families.
The company announced Thursday that it will be expanding its affordable internet program to hundreds of housing agencies across Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Connected for Success started as a pilot program in 2013 with Toronto Community Housing Corp. Rogers worked in partnership with Microsoft Canada and Compugen computers to offer low-income residents in the city internet service for $9.99 and computers for $150.