FMCC Delegation at CRTC Hearings L-to-R: Heather Hudson, Rob McMahon, Penny Carpenter, Tim Whiteduck, Marc Awashish
Indigenous Communications Providers Propose Fund for Northern Broadband
April 11, 2016
Gatineau, Quebec: Today, representatives from regional First Nations technology organizations presented their proposals for funding to extend broadband in northern and isolated regions that have been ignored by incumbent telecommunications companies. These organizations, members of the First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC), spoke at the opening day of hearings by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on whether broadband should be a basic service available to all Canadians.
“Broadband must be a basic service,” said Penny Carpenter, manager of the Kuhkenah Network (KNET) in Northwestern Ontario. “Without access to reliable and affordable broadband, citizens of remote and Northern regions of Canada simply cannot participate in our modern society.”
“Today we showed how Indigenous communities are retaining control of their broadband development and operations,” said Tim Whiteduck, IT Director with the First Nations Education Council in Quebec. “They should not simply hand over these assets – including revenue, rights of way, or political support – for the privilege of becoming customers of companies that have no stake in the long-term sustainable development of their regions and communities.”
Prof. Rob McMahon of the University of Alberta outlined the FMCC’s proposal for creation of a new Northern Infrastructure and Services Fund (NISF). “This fund would enable community-based organizations to upgrade, operate and maintain telecommunications facilities in the North, as well as to provide training and support for northern residents.”
McMahon stressed that FMCC’s members demonstrate that Indigenous people can be providers and not just consumers of broadband and other communications services. They provide networks for telemedicine, distance education, and other public services, as well as Internet and other retail services for community residents.
Expert witness Professor Heather Hudson stated: “I know of no other country or region where Indigenous people have developed such expertise and taken on such responsibilities for their own telecommunications.”
FMCC is a non-profit association of First Nation service providers involved in research, public outreach and policy advocacy. Our research reports and community case studies are available at http://firstmile.ca/resources/publications
For more information, please contact:
Tim Whiteduck, IT Director, First Nations Education Council and FMCC Chair, 855-842-7672 or
Penny Carpenter, Manager, K-Net, 807-737-1135 or
Rob McMahon, Coordinator, FMCC, 780-288-7151