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Telecom Order CRTC 2021-330

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Ottawa, 1 October 2021

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Acceptance of statement of work for Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation’s British Columbia transport fibre project

Background

  1. In Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation’s British Columbia transport fibre project, Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-46, 4 February 2021 (Telecom Decision 2021-46), the Commission awarded up to $3.16 million to Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC) for the project proposed in its application filed in response to the second call for applications for funding from the Broadband Fund. On 11 February 2021, the Commission received written acceptance of this funding award from CBBC.
  2. On 7 May 2021, the Commission received CBBC’s proposed statement of work, including the information package regarding its British Columbia transport fibre project (the project).

Commission’s analysis and determinations

  1. The Commission finds that CBBC has complied with the condition of approval set out at point (ii) of subparagraph 11(b) of Telecom Decision 2021-46 and provided documentation attesting that the funding recipient’s parent company, Columbia Basin Trust, will be a financial guarantor to the project.
  2. Having reviewed the documents submitted, the Commission approves the finalized statement of work and will provide it separately and in confidence to CBBC.
  3. Provided that CBBC complies with all conditions of funding set out in Telecom Decision 2021-46, constructs the project as described in Schedule A: Statement of Work, and complies with all procedural requirements to submit reports, invoices, and requests for funding, the Commission will direct the Central Fund Administrator to make payments to CBBC in respect of the project. Failure to comply with these conditions and requirements could result in funding being delayed or not being disbursed.
  4. CBBC is required to submit, quarterly, a progress report and expense claim beginning no later than 17 January 2022 or as otherwise agreed to with the Commission, and every three months thereafter until the project is completed.
  5. Further, in accordance with the Commission’s determinations in Telecom Decision 2021-46, CBBC must offer and provide broadband services using facilities funded through the Broadband Fund once the infrastructure is built, as committed to in its application and approved in Schedule B: Project Services.

Policy Directions

  1. The 2006 Policy DirectionFootnote 1 and the 2019 Policy DirectionFootnote 2 (collectively, the Policy Directions) state that the Commission, in exercising its powers and performing its duties under the Telecommunications Act (the Act), shall implement the telecommunications policy objectives set out in section 7 of the Act, in accordance with the considerations set out therein,Footnote 3 and should specify how its decisions can, as applicable, promote competition, affordability, consumer interests, and innovation.
  2. The Commission considers that its approval of funding from the Broadband Fund for the project described in this order is consistent with the Policy Directions. Specifically, the decision to allocate funding towards improving broadband services in British Columbia will help to close the gap in connectivity in underserved areas and will respond to the social and economic needs of consumers. In doing so, this order will implement the telecommunications policy objectives, including those set out in paragraphs 7(a), (b), and (h) of the Act.Footnote 4

Secretary General

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