More funds needed for rural high-speed internet: Sasktel

Sasktel wants the federal government to know that providing high-speed Internet to rural and remote users is a worthwhile – but costly – endeavour.
Comments from the provincial telecommunications company come in response to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission investigating policies regarding what are deemed “necessary services.”
Currently, those services include radio, television and telephone services. The CRTC is investigating whether or not that should include high-speed Internet.
The federal regulatory body has asked telecoms from around Canada to weigh in on whether or not the service should be added to the list, who should pay for it and how it would affect a competitive market to make the service mandatory.
Of course, all sides of the debate are represented by various companies, lawyers and observers.
Here in Saskatchewan, Sasktel says their internet infrastructure is already available to literally 100 per cent of the population – whether or not they decide to actually pay for the service.
Sasktel spokeswoman, Michelle Englot, said while the company can provide what is classified as high-speed service to remote regions, it is in actuality as much as five times slower than what urban residents would expect.
She said the company believes that those residents do deserve to have Internet that’s just as fast but the cost is a big factor.
Currently, all large telecommunication companies contribute to a fund to subsidize the cost of providing necessary services. Englot said if high-speed becomes necessary, there needs to be more money in the pot.
“Unless this national contribution fund is expended or improved to include high-speed, the rural and remote areas will continue to be left behind,” said Englot.
“That’s because it’s simply not affordable for Sasktel to increase that bandwidth.”
Meanwhile, the CRTC is continuing to hold hearings in Timmins, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec, over the next few weeks.
A decision on the matter is expected before mid-year, 2011.
adesouza@rawlco.com