About the Program

The Broadband Program is an applications based program to make broadband service available to as many unserved and underserved households as possible. Broadband is defined as a minimum 1.5Mbps.

How does it work?

Industry Canada undertook an extensive mapping exercise in order to understand the extent to which Canadians remain unserved or underserved. Based on the mapping data, Geographic Service Areas (GSAs) were defined and on September 1, 2009, a competitive call for applications was launched to fund projects in the GSAs. The Program will fund up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Who is eligible?

Eligible recipients will be the private sector or consortiums of companies, not-for-profit organizations, and provincial/territorial entities that build and operate broadband infrastructure.

What are the next steps?

The call for applications was launched on September 1, 2009 and closed on October 23, 2009. Broadband Canada will complete the evaluation of the applications at the end of 2009, with successful applicants identified in January 2010.