Will last week’s economic statement lead to more investment in broadband infrastructure?
During the election campaign, recall that the Conservatives had pledged
to support rural and remote communities by investing in new infrastructure throughout rural and northern Canada.
Last Thursday’s statement said
Canadians need to continue building a modern and reliable infrastructure. Investing in a 21st century infrastructure will create a competitive advantage that pulls business and jobs into a vibrant national economy and brings our skills and goods onto the world stage efficiently. It will also stimulate the economy and put people to work.
What is 21st century infrastructure?
To those of us who read this page, it means communications and broadband. But it really applies to anything being built these days. We know that it will include a new Windsor-Detroit border crossing. A real border for cars and trucks and people, not just fibre connectivity to the US.
There is a lot of telecom infrastructure being built next year by wireless players – the new entrants and the Bell/TELUS HSPA network.
To what extent will government partnerships stimulate additional broadband infrastructure in more remote areas?