High-speed Internet for all of Canada
All Canadians, no matter where they live, need high-speed Internet to connect with family, keep up at school, run a business and access essential medical services. That’s why the Government of Canada has programs under way to connect Canadians living in rural and remote areas, aiming to connect 95% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and all Canadians by 2030.
Help build the future of high-speed Internet in Canada
We are working to expand high-speed networks to rural, remote, northern and underserved communities across Canada, and we need your help! Take two minutes to complete an Internet speed test. You will be helping us gather important data on Internet speeds in all regions of Canada.
In addition to completing the Internet speed test, we welcome your feedback via email about Internet service availability in your area.
Do you want to know what Internet speeds are available in your area, who the service providers are and where we are already investing in projects to improve Internet speeds? Check out the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map.
Programs and initiatives
The Government of Canada has several programs supporting high-speed Internet access for all Canadians, especially in rural and remote communities.
| Program or Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Universal Broadband Fund | The new Universal Broadband Fund will provide up to $1 billion over 10 years to support broadband projects across Canada. The Universal Broadband Fund is being designed to meet the unique needs of rural and remote communities, and it is expected to be launched in the spring of 2020. |
| Connect to Innovate | Launched in 2016, the Connect to Innovate program is supporting over 220 different projects across Canada, which have the potential to impact 390,000 households. When completed, these projects will bring high-speed Internet access to approximately 975 rural and remote communities, including 190 Indigenous communities. Most projects are currently in the building phase, and many are expected to be completed in 2020. Visit the Connect to Innovate page to find out more, including where projects have been announced. |
| Connecting Canadians | Since 2015, the Connecting Canadians program has helped households in rural and remote areas get access to high-speed Internet and participate in the digital economy. Connecting Canadians projects are expected to provide up to 350,000 households with improved connectivity. The program ends in 2020. Find out which projects are under way. |
| CRTC Broadband Fund | $750 million fund to support projects that will provide broadband Internet and mobile wireless services in eligible underserved areas of Canada (current deadline for applications: March 27, 2020). |
| Canada Infrastructure Bank | $1 billion in innovative loans and equity for new broadband infrastructure. |
| Broadband projects for rural and northern communities | More about the Investing in Canada Plan: Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure. |
| Accelerated Investment Incentive | Supporting new private sector investments in rural high-speed Internet. |
| First Nation Infrastructure Fund | Funding to improve the quality of life and the environment of First Nation communities by addressing the long-standing infrastructure gaps on reserves in eight project categories, including connectivity. |
How Internet service providers (ISPs), municipalities, Indigenous organizations and communities can get involved
- Verify the coverage information on our National Broadband Map
- Is your organization considering applying for a project under the Universal Broadband Fund? Before the process is launched, submit your proposed project area(s) using our feedback form and we will get back to you about existing services in the area to help you refine your final proposal.
- Consult other information for Internet Service Providers
National plan for broadband
Rural economic development
An outline to support the sustainability of remote, rural and Indigenous communities in the digital age.
Canada's Connectivity Strategy
Our plan to connect Canada from coast to coast to coast.
Latest news
| Date | Program name | News item |
|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2019 | Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission | Call for comments regarding potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable networks in underserved areas in Canada |
| September 6, 2019 | Connect to Innovate | Canadians in Eastern Ontario to benefit from faster Internet |
| September 6, 2019 | Connect to Innovate | Canadians in northern Alberta to benefit from faster Internet |
| September 4, 2019 | Investing in Canada | Saskatchewan residents to benefit from green and community infrastructure investments |
| August 30, 2019 | Connect to Innovate | Canadians in St. Julien's and Croque, NL, to benefit from faster Internet |
| August 29, 2019 | Connect to Innovate | |
| August 28, 2019 | Connect to Innovate | |
| August 27, 2019 | Connect to Innovate | Rural communities in northern Ontario will benefit from faster Internet |
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