From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Backbone
- Backbone infrastructure is the modern equivalent major highways — it connects communities across Canada to each other. Backbone infrastructure does not connect directly to households. 'Last-mile' infrastructure connects directly to households (see below). It is often fibre optic-based, but can comprise a range of technologies including microwave and satellite service.
- Broadband
- Broadband is an always-on, high-speed Internet connection. Broadband can be delivered over a variety of technologies, such as DSL, fibre optic, cable, fixed wireless, or satellite technologies.
- Fibre optic
- Fibre optic cables carry Internet signals over glass filaments to provide fast connections. Fibre is also used as backbone infrastructure to move large amounts of data to and from communities.
- Fixed wireless
- Fixed wireless networks use radio transmitters with elevated antennas (like towers) to communicate with customers within range. Fixed wireless networks are typically used with permanently-mounted antennas at the client sites.
- Last Mile
- Last-mile infrastructure can be compared to local roads and driveways — it brings Internet access from the backbone infrastructure (the highway) to households or small businesses through wired or wireless technologies, such as cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), fixed wireless or satellite. A portion of Connect to Innovate program funds support "last-mile" connectivity projects to households, at speeds of at least 5 Megabits per second (Mbps), where gaps continue to persist.
- Microwave technology
- Microwave technology uses a high capacity microwave radio link to provide backbone connections between points in a network.
- Point of presence (PoP)
- A site in a network that is an interconnection point to connect a backbone network to a last mile network. Wholesale services are offered from these locations for Internet Service Providers.
- Satellite technology
- Customers use a dish antenna and transceiver to establish two-way communication with a satellite. Satellite can also be used as backbone to provide service to communities where terrestrial connections are not possible.
