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Telecom Order CRTC 2023-225

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Reference: 2021-44

Ottawa, 27 July 2023

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Change requests – Shaw Cablesystems G.P.’s transport project in British Columbia

  1. In Telecom Decision 2021-44, the Commission approved Shaw Cablesystems G.P.’s (Shaw) funding application to improve broadband service in the following seven communities in northeast British Columbia: Attachie, Bear Flat, Charlie Lake, Farrell Creek, Moberly Lake, Saulteau First Nations, and West Moberly First Nations. In its application, Shaw indicated that it would build new points of presence (PoPs) and upgrade other PoPs in those communities.
  2. The Commission later received written acceptance of this funding award from Shaw and in Telecom Order 2021-332, approved Shaw’s related statement of work, subject to the conditions of funding set out in Telecom Decision 2021-44.
  3. Among the conditions of funding is the requirement that any changes that materially affect the project to be delivered be approved by the Commission. In the Application Guide appended to Telecom Notice of Consultation 2019-372, which initiated the second call for applications, the Commission defined a material change as including substantive changes in the nature or location of a project.
  4. On 19 January 2023, Shaw submitted change requests requesting a substantive relocation of two PoPs from those indicated in the statement of work approved by the Commission in Telecom Order 2021-332. One proposed relocation, serving Saulteau First Nations, would move the PoP away from an area identified as having a high volume of vehicular traffic. The other, serving West Moberly First Nations, would be to a site that is generally better geographically and topographically situated.
  5. The proposed changes do not require an increase in funding from the Broadband Fund, nor will they result in a delay to the project’s timelines. The proposed changes will also not affect the service levels that the project will ultimately deliver.
  6. The Commission has reviewed the materials submitted and considers that approving the change requests would satisfy the objectives of Telecom Regulatory Policy 2018-377.
  7. The Commission therefore approves Shaw’s change requests. All funding conditions and conditions imposed under section 24 of the Telecommunications Act, as set out in Telecom Decision 2021-44, continue to apply, including the Commission’s expectation that the project will be completed within three years of the date of that decision.

Secretary General

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