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Supporting Satellite Services for Rural and Remote Communities

by ahnationtalk on May 5, 2015593 Views

Harper Government introduces changes that will improve access to satellite services across Canada

May 5, 2015 – Ottawa – Industry Canada

For many Canadians living in rural and remote communities, access to digital services is vital for their participation in the economy and society. Many of these communities rely on satellite technology for access to fast, reliable Internet, wireless cell phones, television, and radio services.

Today Industry Minister James Moore introduced changes that will reduce regulatory fees for satellite companies that provide rural and remote communities with satellite services. These changes will make Canada a more competitive jurisdiction, attracting new investments from companies that want to expand into the Canadian marketplace and from companies that want to improve existing services.

The new reduced fee structure is expected to come into effect by April 1, 2016. This is the second phase in the modernization of Canada’s satellite licensing framework. In November 2013, the Government of Canada introduced a streamlined regulatory process that improved licence application timelines. Once the new fee structure comes into effect, Canada’s satellite licensing fees would compare favourably with those in other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada is reducing regulatory fees by introducing lower satellite licence fees for spectrum used for Internet, wireless mobile and broadcasting services.
The new fee structure was developed in partnership with, and is supported by, Canadian satellite licensees.
The Government of Canada has put in place policies that support rural and remote communities’ access to telecommunications services. The Connecting Canadians program will bring high-speed Internet to an additional 280,000 homes in rural and remote communities.
The Government has a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy that ensures telecommunications companies deploy their services to Canadians in a timely fashion. If companies fail to deploy services to Canadians, their licences will be revoked.

Quotes

“Our government is committed to bringing affordable high-speed satellite services to Canadians living in rural and remote communities. By putting in place the right market conditions that support greater investment in the satellite sector, our government is supporting Canadian consumers by providing them with more choice, lower prices and better service.”

– James Moore, Minister of Industry

“Telesat strongly supports the Government’s ongoing initiatives to modernize Canada’s satellite licensing framework. The new fee structure introduced by Minister Moore reduces regulatory burden and places Telesat on a level playing field relative to operators licensed in other countries and will speed the delivery of next-generation satellite-delivered services to many Canadians living in rural and remote communities.”

– Daniel Goldberg, President and CEO, Telesat Canada