Telecom Order CRTC 2024-283

Reference: 2021-255

Ottawa, 12 November 2024

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Change request – TELUS Mobility’s access and mobile project in northern Alberta

Summary

Canadians need reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet and cellphone services for every part of their daily lives.

Through its Broadband Fund, the Commission contributes to a broad effort by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to address the gap in connectivity in underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada.

With this order, the Commission approves TELUS Mobility’s request to postpone the completion date of its access and mobile project in northern Alberta. This revised timeline will support the continued effort to complete this project and ensure connectivity.

Background

In Telecom Regulatory Policy 2016-496, the Commission set out objectives and governing frameworks for the Broadband Fund. In the Application Guide appended to Telecom Notice of Consultation 2019-372, which initiated the second call for Broadband Fund applications, the Commission defined a material change as including a major change in the cost or scope of a project.
TELUS Mobility participated in the second call. In Telecom Decision 2021-255, TELUS Mobility received approval for that application. The approved application supports providing fixed wireless access services and introducing Long-Term Evolution – Advanced (LTE-A) mobile services to eligible areas in the communities of Tallcree 173 (South Tallcree) and Tallcree 173A (North Tallcree) and along parts of Highway 88 in northern Alberta.
The Commission later received written acceptance of the funding award from TELUS Mobility and approved TELUS Mobility’s related statement of work in Telecom Order 2022-188, subject to the conditions of funding set out in Telecom Decision 2021-251. As part of the statement of work approval, the Commission approved a funding increase from $1,852,538 to $2,458,946. Among the conditions of funding is the requirement, set out in paragraph 32 of Telecom Decision 2021-251, that any material changes to the project be approved by the Commission. An application for material changes is known as a change request.

Change request

In the Application Guide appended to Telecom Notice of Consultation 2019-372, the Commission stipulated its expectation that projects be completed within three years of the funding award. Telecom Decision 2021-255 was issued on 4 August 2021, creating an expectation that this project be completed by 4 August 2024.
However, on 10 July 2024, TELUS Mobility submitted a change request, seeking additional time to complete the project before the end of spring 2025. TELUS Mobility stated that additional time is needed due to factors submitted in confidence but relating to delays experienced with site acquisition and permit processes.

Commission’s analysis

The Commission has reviewed the information submitted with the change request.
The Commission underlines the importance of addressing connectivity gaps quickly by completing Broadband Fund projects in a timely manner.^{Footnote 1} However, the Commission is satisfied that, under the circumstances and based on its analysis of the materials submitted, the revised timeline is appropriate.
Accordingly, the Commission considers that approving the change request would satisfy the objectives set out in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2016-496.

Conclusion

The Commission therefore approves TELUS Mobility’s change request and expects that the project be completed before 20 June 2025. All funding conditions and conditions imposed under section 24 of the Telecommunications Act, as set out in Telecom Decision 2021-251, continue to apply.

Secretary General

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