Telecommunications services are fundamental to economic prosperity, social development, and global competitiveness. This past year demonstrated the heightened importance of broadband with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians working from home, online learning, virtual health care, and e-commerce.
As highlighted in Budget 2021, the Provincial Government is building on past investments by investing $25 million over the next three years to improve cellular and broadband service, with $5 million allocated for 2021-22. The total investment allows government to continue to facilitate partnership opportunities with the Federal Government, service providers and/or other partners to further close the connectivity gap, advancing the long-term connectivity needs of homes, businesses, and institutions in the province.
A Call for Proposals will be issued today for cost-shared broadband projects that can be implemented by spring 2022. The proposal will focus on:
- Soliciting cost-shared, immediate response broadband projects that can be implemented by June 30, 2022;
- Addressing some of the most chronically unserved, underserved and congested regions of the province; and,
- Servicing areas that have not received funding through the Universal Broadband Fund and/or areas for which there have been no proposal submitted to the Universal Broadband Fund.
Since 2018, IET has committed $4 million to broadband initiatives and cost-shared cellular service projects, leveraging $45 million from partners.
Quote
“Our government recognizes that broadband and cellular connectivity is a concern for a significant portion of the population in our province. During 2021, we will release a plan that will communicate government’s actions to advance connectivity to households, businesses and communities in the province by continued leveraging with industry and community partners.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
– 30 –
Learn more
Connectivity in Newfoundland and Labrador
Call for Proposals Broadband Rapid Response Project
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @IET_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
Media contact
Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5777
erichumber@gov.nl.ca