First Nations and Inuit satellite-based broadband infrastructure projects were created in large part through two rounds of funding under the National Satellite Initiative. The first round of funding came in 2002 with the second round following in 2007.
As a result of the NSI funding, 43 remote Inuit and First Nations communities, and two non-First Nations or Inuit communities in the northern regions of Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba receive Internet services through the . In 2002, communities in Nunavut, NWT and northern Ontario began sharing satellite bandwidth provided through a Public Benefit Transponder. In 2003, NSI allocated a second Public Benefit Transponder to NICSN to provide connectivity services to public institutions in 43 communities. The second round of funding provided in 2007 allowed NICSN to secure two more satellite transponders and to complete local access network upgrades.
Read more about NICSN at http://smart.knet.ca/satellite.
NSI also funded one project in Nunavut ($7.83 million to provide broadband service via satellite to all 25 communities), and one project in NWT ($7.0 million for 31 communities in NWT). These territorial projects are guided by boards of directors that include First Nations and Inuit representatives, but are owned and administered by a commercial organization, .
The NSI investment in Nunavut was matched by a combination of funding from SSi Micro and customer revenue. The combined $15.6 million in funding invested in bandwidth expansion between . Specific projects include the expansion of connectivity in public schools across Nunavut and file sharing applications for businesses.
Despite evidence of the success of these projects in achieving economies of scale, network efficiencies, and strong, long-term partnerships across geographic and jurisdictional boundaries, the satellite-based broadband infrastructure and connectivity services associated with NSI are in danger of losing core funding. In one key informant’s words: “The trend appears clear: lower funding for less stable lengths of time”. The Table below highlights the end of NSI funding. As of early 2013, no new government program has been announced to replace the NSI.
NSI Funding Timelines as of early 2013
| Province | Project | End Date |
| B.C. | FNESS, FNTC and Norsat’s NSI Round 2 | March 2014 |
| Quebec | KRG’s Broadband Canada project (Nunavik Inuit) | 2016 |
| Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba | NSI Round 2 funding ends for NICSN partners | 2019 |
| Nunavut | SSi Micro and Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation’s Broadband Canada project | 2016 |