FMCC responds to: Review of the Commission’s regulatory framework for Northwestel Inc., and the state of telecommunications services in Canada’s North

Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2020-367 On November 2, 2020, the Commission initiated a proceeding to review elements of its regulatory framework for Northwestel. See Call for Comments FMCC participated in the 2013 hearing (2012-669) and presented testimony from Indigenous Internet providers from the NWT and other Northern and remote Canadian regions. Since that time,[…]

Other Supports for Indigenous Networks

This Topic has discussed approaches to addressing digital divides that focus on working with Indigenous Nations and/or communities to set up and operate their own community networks. After initial capital investment and ongoing operational supports (the same supports that private-sector organizations ask to receive in these contexts) these Indigenous networks can re-invest any surplus revenues[…]

Ottawa Citizen: COVID-19 shows need to support Indigenous and non-profit telcos connecting remote communities

Posted on April 24, 2020April 24, 2020 by robmcmahon

The following article was published on April 15, 2020. Read published article here. by FMCC members Tim Whiteduck, David Paul Achneepineskum, Sally Braun, Bill Murdoch, Ken Sanderson, and Rob McMahon In 2016, Canada’s telecommunications regulator ruled that broadband is an “essential service” that should be available to everyone across the country, no matter where they[…]

FMCC research featured in special issue of Northern Public Affairs

Posted on September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 by robmcmahon

The journal Northern Public Affairs has published a special issue focused on connectivity in Northern and Indigenous communities. The issue includes research and commentary about Indigenous digital innovations in communities across northern Canada, and features several articles contributed by FMCC members. These articles include: A “whole-community” approach for sustainable digital infrastructure in remote and Northern First[…]

FMCC team featured on CIRA blog

Posted on December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 by robmcmahon

The following article was posted by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority. CIRA’s Community Investment Program celebrates its fifth year – Part 2: The First Mile Connectivity Consortium CIRA is embarking on the fifth year of its Community Investment Program. Canadian not-for-profits doing good things for and through the internet can apply for a CIRA grant[…]

First Mile team presents at several conference at Congress 2017

Posted on June 11, 2017June 12, 2017 by brianbeaton

The First Mile work in First Nations across Canada (http://firstmile.ca) was well represented at Congress 2017 during the week long event held at Ryerson University in Toronto the week of May 27 to June 2. At the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER), Rob was a member of a panel presenting the chapter he[…]

Guide: An Open Source GIS and Mapping Methodology for Internet Access

Posted on February 10, 2017February 11, 2017 by robmcmahon

In this report we discuss the efforts of the First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) to shape a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform into a tool for data-driven policy advocacy. This work took place in the context of a lack of robust, accurate data concerning broadband access in Canada’s northern and remote regions. Given this challenge,[…]

FMCC board members present at Manitoba First Nations conference

Posted on February 8, 2017February 9, 2017 by susanodonnell

The “Smoke Signals of the Future: Information From the Roots” conference in Winnipeg had two presentations on the agenda from FMCC representatives. Both presentations were made by video / skype to participants in Winnipeg. Participants at the conference included members of First Nations across Manitoba with a strong representation from youth. On February 8, FMCC[…]

FMCC members present work at ISED event

Posted on January 25, 2017 by susanodonnell

KNET Director Penny Carpenter and Susan O’Donnell, FMCC Vice-Chair, presented the work of the FMCC to policy-makers at Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) in Ottawa on January 19. Also participating was Tim Whiteduck, Director of Technology at the First Nations Education Council and FMCC Chair. The presentation focused on research completed by FMCC last[…]

FNI / FMCC / MWC represented at SSHRC workshop – Leveraging Emerging Technologies for the Benefit of Canadians

Posted on May 23, 2016December 27, 2016 by brianbeaton

Report on Susan and Brian’s participation at SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future knowledge workshop on Leveraging Emerging Technologies for the Benefit of Canadians. As a result of David Perley’s successful Knowledge Synthesis project entitled “Supporting Indigenous Resurgence with Digital Technologies”, we were invited to attend this SSHRC workshop with other project participants. The agenda is a good indicator[…]