Rural

Cyberaโ€™s response to CRTC consultation on barriers to deploying broadband

Last week, Cybera submitted a response to the CRTCโ€™s Notice of Consultation 2019-406: Call for comments regarding potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable networks in underserved areas in Canada. In 2018, the CRTC finalized the Broadband Fund, a $750 Million investment over five years to fund broadband-capable networks across Canada. Its intention is to: โ€œFund projects …

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Research proves the connectivity barriers faced by Indigenous communities are very real, and very limiting

Theย ConnectIN projectย was a two-year pilot project evaluating the internet connectivity in First Nations communities in BC, Alberta and Manitoba. Led by three First Nationsโ€™ regional technology organizations, and facilitated by Cybera, the goal of this project was to better assess gaps in infrastructure and services. ConnectIN wrapped up in February 2020. In this post, we …

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Cybera roadshow coming to Lethbridge and Grande Prairie

As Cybera prepares to launch its next 3-year Strategic Plan, we are planning a series of collaborative discussions with our community. Our next stops will be Lethbridge and Grande Prairie. Theseย free, half-day sessions will review the digital resources available toย Albertaโ€™s public and education sectors to create efficiencies and improve computational literacy. They will also identify …

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The rise of online education in Alberta (and how administrators are keeping up)

Education administrators in Alberta today face a host of challenges and responsibilities that were unheard of 20 years ago: from managing multiple learning platforms and technologies, to protecting staff and students from cyber threats and privacy intrusions. But what about the administrators at schools that have no physical buildings, but are completely online? Do they …

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In places with no internet connectivity, Alberta libraries offer a lifeline

When you look at the total geographic region that the Peace Library System covers, you get a good sense of some of the challenges faced by its IT Services Manager, Janet Ayles. Peace Library basically serves the entire top-left corner of Alberta. With 46 libraries spread over 238,000 square kilometres, Ayles sees a broad range …

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Cybera Supports SWIFT Call For Equal Access to the CRTCโ€™s Broadband Fund

Bright/translucent lines: Areas where SWIFT estimates internet service provider offer service packages with speeds that meet or exceed CRTCโ€™s 50/10 โ€œbasic serviceโ€ target. Dark hexagons: Areas considered served/ineligible to apply to CRTC fund. Last week, Cybera submitted a letter in support of Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT)โ€™s appeal to the CRTC to reconsider its Broadband …

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Cyberaโ€™s Case to the Telecommunications Legislative Review

Last week, Cybera submitted a brief to the federal governmentโ€™s Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review panel. The panel has been tasked with reviewing Canadaโ€™s communication legislative framework in the digital age, focusing on issues of content creation, net neutrality and cultural diversity, and how to strengthen the future of Canadian media. We would like to …

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Testing the Gaps in First Nationsโ€™ Internet Access

In July 2004, the Assembly of First Nations passed a resolution directing โ€œthe government of ย Canada to honour its commitment to connect every community to broadband services by 2005.โ€ But nearly a decade and a half later, many First Nations communities remain without any internet connectivity. This issue was highlighted in 2016 by the CRTC …

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Why rural connectivity is an issue for EVERY Canadian

As part of our core mandate, Cybera continually pushes for the democratization of technology access in Canada. Weโ€™ve seen some major policy successes over the years โ€” particularly with the CRTC decision to mandate bandwidth as a basic communications service needed by everyone. Weโ€™re also pleased to see increasing investments by governments (from the municipal …

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Make your voice heard on the future of rural broadband

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is undertaking a study on Broadband Connectivity in Rural Canada. Cybera will be submitting a brief to the Committee. We are inviting members, stakeholders and interested parties to share their experiences and input with us to incorporate into our submission. We believe this is …

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