Broadband

Broadband internet is a vital service for every community in Alberta. Many of our members have been clear that the level of service they receive in their community does not meet the needs of their residents and businesses. Alberta Municipalities has been supporting our members by advocating for funding for broadband infrastructure upgrades in underserved communities, and regulatory changes that will incent more broadband investment in Alberta.  

 

Broadband Advocacy

Alberta Municipalities’ Board of Directors sponsored a resolution at our 2021 annual convention calling on the provincial government to develop a strategy to support improved broadband service for municipalities. In early 2022, we were encouraged by the release of the Alberta Broadband Strategy. In addition to the strategy, combined funding of $780 million from the federal and provincial governments was also announced. One concern that our members raised with this funding was that it flowed through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). Some concerns with this approach are that the UBF closed for applications in March 2021, and that the application criteria made many communities ineligible for funding despite having low levels of broadband service.  

Alberta Municipalities successfully advocated for a more flexible approach to allow communities to apply for this funding. The Alberta Government announced in September 2022 that they would be setting aside $36 million of the previously announced $780 million to be known as the Alberta Broadband Fund, for projects in communities that were not eligible for UBF funding.  

 

Municipal Broadband Toolkit

Alberta Municipalities has created a Municipal Broadband Toolkit for CAOs and elected officials. This resource is meant to be an easy-to-read primer for communities that are interested in a broadband project but are not sure where to start.