In June 2019, the Government released Canada's Connectivity Strategy with the objective of bringing access to Internet speeds of at least 50/10 Megabytes per second (Mbps) to all households by 2030. Since then, federal, provincial and private sector investments have been bridging our country's connectivity gap. This includes federal investments being made through the $3.225 billion Universal Broadband Fund (UBF).
In 2017, 45.4% of households in Saskatchewan had access to speeds of 50/10 Mbps. It is projected that by 2026, 86.4% of households in the province will have access. As such, while significant progress is being made, more needs to be done on the path to 100% access by 2030.
Today, a special call for interest is being launched for Saskatchewan, inviting eligible applicants under the UBF to express their interest in developing a proposal to connect underserved households in the province in areas which remain without access to Internet speeds of 50/10 Mbps. Funding is currently available until March 31, 2027 and projects must be completed by that date.
The focus of this call for interest is on the most dense areas without service as indicated by the attached map (PDF, 3.52 MB). Densely populated areas outside of this map are either already considered served or will be served through existing projects, including those under the UBF.
Under the UBF, eligible applicants are:
- Canadian entities or groups of Canadian entities that operate broadband infrastructure
- Canadian entities or groups of entities that do not operate broadband infrastructure but have identified a plan to engage an entity or group of entities with experience building, owning, and operating the infrastructure their project(s) is proposing may also be eligible
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is interested in hearing from all parties ready to participate in a project to bring improved connectivity underserved households. Eligible applicants are invited to come forward with expressions of interest until September 27, 2024. In addition to expressed interest, ISED will require that parties demonstrate the project is technically feasible, sustainable and financially viable. The maximum amount of funding available for a broadband project is up to 75% of the total eligible costs, or up to 90% of the total eligible costs for projects targeting very remote areas, satellite-dependent and/or Indigenous communities. ISED will work with interested parties to determine if they have a project that meets these criteria.
To submit an expression of interest, or to bring forward your questions including more detailed mapping information, please reach out to: get-connected-branchez-vous@ised-isde.gc.ca. A program official will follow up with you directly in your preferred method of communication.
ISED has tried to be as inclusive as possible in this call out and therefore it is possible you are receiving this message but already have high-speed Internet in your community or have supported a project underway.
We are looking forward to working with you towards our common goal of 100% access to high-speed Internet for all households in Saskatchewan by 2030.