FMCC files comments to CRTC (2017-359) on Future Programming Distribution Models

Posted on December 5, 2017December 5, 2017 by brianbeaton

On Friday, December 1, 2017, FMCC filed our comments on the Future Programming Distribution Models with the CRTC. The CRTC put out this Call for Comments in response to the Governor in Council’s request for a report on future programming distribution models to be presented before June 1, 2018 (https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-359.htm and https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-359-1.htm). FMCC’s submission is available for[…]

FMCC Comments on CRTC Broadband Fund Development

Posted on November 25, 2017December 16, 2017 by robmcmahon

FMCC is participating in CRTC 2017-112 “Development of the Commission’s broadband funding regime”. These public proceedings examine matters related to the establishment of the broadband funding regime, including its governance, operating, and accountability frameworks, as well as eligibility and assessment criteria for proposed projects. For more information, the public notice is posted here. Requests for Information in CRTC 2017-122:[…]

Indigenous Connectivity Summit (Nov 6-9, 2017) — Livestream Available

Posted on November 2, 2017November 18, 2017 by robmcmahon

Next week, the Indigenous Connectivity Summit (ICS) will be a unique event focused on connecting Indigenous communities in North America to the Internet. This community-led forum will showcase success stories of Indigenous community networks in Canada, the United States and around the globe to help find solutions to improve Internet access for all. The event[…]

FMCC members and board and FNI team meet in Fredericton

Posted on October 26, 2017October 27, 2017 by susanodonnell

FMCC member organizations and the FMCC board of directors met in Fredericton on October 23, 24 and 25 to share information about their current and upcoming broadband, policy and regulatory activities. Also participating in the meetings were the partners in the First Nations Innovation (FNI) research project.The meetings included: October 23: Participation at the UNB[…]

FMCC welcomes new member – Matawa First Nations Management

Posted on October 25, 2017October 26, 2017 by susanodonnell

The FMCC is pleased to welcome a new member organization, Matawa First Nations Management (http://matawa.on.ca), that joined us in October. Matawa is a First Nations council in Northern Ontario with nine member Ojibway and Cree First Nations. Earlier this month, Matawa First Nations announced it had secured funding for a new FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) construction project[…]

FMCC presents workshop at CANDO conference

Posted on October 24, 2017October 27, 2017 by susanodonnell

FMCC members presented a workshop at the 2017 CANDO conference in Fredericton on October 26. CANDO is the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers. Our workshop title was: Innovation in Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure in Remote and Rural First Nations. In our workshop three FMCC members and our coordinator presented a summary of[…]

FMCC Files Submission to House of Commons Study on Rural Broadband

Posted on October 15, 2017October 15, 2017 by robmcmahon

In early October, FMCC filed a submission to a parliamentary study on rural broadband. In our submission, we welcomed the Standing Committee’s focus on improving connectivity through an approach that demonstrates its impact on local rural economies, including community engagement. We stressed the opportunities that this project can have on local communities: that is, provide benefit[…]

UPDATE — Register today for Indigenous Connectivity Summit in Santa Fe (Nov. 6-9)

Posted on September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 by robmcmahon

See below for a message from our colleagues at the Internet Society — the First Mile Connectivity Consortium is a partner in this upcoming event: If you plan to attend the Indigenous Connectivity Summit but haven’t registered yet, please do so today! We’ve got a great line up of speakers from across Canada, the U.S.[…]

Building Community WiFi in Maskwacis, AB

Posted on August 29, 2017February 27, 2019 by robmcmahon

Members of Maskwacis First Nation in Alberta can now access free WiFi, thanks to the efforts of local tech entrepreneur Bruce Buffalo. Visit the website for Mamawapowin Technology Society Bruce has developed a system that offers four free access points in his community. Community members can connect to the network through a web-based gateway, which[…]

CRTC Denies Northwestel Request for Forbearance of Regulation of Wholesale Connect Service in NWT

Posted on August 25, 2017 by robmcmahon

Yesterday (Aug 24) the CRTC released its decision denying Northwestel’s request to be forborne from regulation of the Wholesale Connect service in light of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link. From the CRTC’s announcement: The Commission denies an application by Northwestel for requesting forbearance from the regulation of its Wholesale Connect service in the communities served[…]