Everyone in Canada has access to broadband internet access. This isn’t a forecast; it is a statement of fact. Most Canadians have access to at least three different facilities-based broadband suppliers (cable, DSL and satellite) and many have a choice of fixed wireless as well.
In the next few months, most Canadians will have a choice of a number of mobile broadband suppliers, all of which providing even more choice. This array of competition doesn’t include the companies that co-locate their DSLAMs to provide broadband over the telco loops or the companies that use the telco’s aggregated access service to provide broadband alternatives.
All Canadians can have broadband, but what is holding them back?
According to StatsCan, in 2006, three quarters of Canadian homes had computers; more than 90% of those households used the computers to access the internet.
Obviously, presence of a home computer sets an asymptote for broadband subscription. We need to hear more discussion of basic computer literacy for the Canadians that still don’t see the value of putting another screen in their homes.
As we wrote last November about PEI’s low adoption rates despite universal accessibility, increasing broadband penetration requires a more holistic, critical analysis.