Broadband

Ongoing work to connect rural Ontario to highspeed broadband

• Rural municipalities played a key role in securing greater broadband investment. Federal and provincial governments committed $4 billion to deliver high-speed internet access across Ontario by 2025.
• Internet service providers (ISPs) have been awarded funds through several provincial programs to expand broadband infrastructure.
• All broadband partners, including municipalities and ISPs, are focused on broadband rollout to deliver on the 2025 rollout target. Municipalities are working hard to turn around permit approvals quickly to support expanded broadband infrastructure in their communities.
• AMO is playing a key role in broadband implementation – achieving concrete progress in collaboration with partners like the Eastern Ontario Regional Network and SWIFT to:
  • Hold the province accountable for addressing connectivity gaps in rural and northern communities where fibre infrastructure is unavailable.
  • Ensure that provincial legislative and regulatory frameworks include enhanced expropriation powers and flexible underground infrastructure mapping processes to support rural municipalities.
  • Develop tools like a streamlined Municipal Access Agreement to help municipalities act quickly while effectively managing risks and discussions with ISPs. The following are samples and resources related to these agreements:
    • Standard Municipal Access Agreement Light Template developed by the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure working with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, supported by this memo, Webinar recording and slides on what's in the template and how to use it
    • Sample MAA on CRTC’s Agreements and Guidelines web page
    • Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)’s Rights of Way Handbook
    • Sample MAAs provided by the Town of Caledon and the Counties of Stormont, Glengarry and Dundas and Prescott Russell
    • The Town of Caledon’s Council memo detailing changes to their rights of way access procedures and application form
    • The District of Muskoka’s Regional Broadband Strategy which includes efforts to harmonize agreements and procedures across municipalities to prepare for broadband builds

Rural Resources
ROMA has created two comprehensive resources tailored specifically for Ontario’s rural municipalities. The Municipal Primer gives an overview of the broadband landscape, including Canada’s regulatory framework.

The Municipal Roadmap lays out components of a municipal connectivity plan that municipal councils and staff can implement to create local solutions.
 

A Webinar was held on December 1, 2020 for municipal elected officials. Download the ROMA Resource Guides on Broadband Connectivity presentation slides, or watch the recording:

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST ON BROADBAND: If you are a municipal elected official or staff member and want to learn the latest about broadband, email policy@amo.on.ca.