Telecom Trends

Marc – thanks for the interesting post. Before Canada even gets to the stage of looking at how broadband can be delivered to the doorsteps of all Canadians and how residents can be encouraged to go online, the concept of the need for a national broadband strategy encompassing broadband deployment incentives has to be sold to our provincial, territorial and federal governments and MPPs, MPs, Cabinet Ministers and Premiers/Prime Minister and they have to be persuaded that it is in the national interest to adopt and implement such a strategy.

Unlike what is happening in the U.S., I don’t see anything close to this type of activity and effort taking place in Canada.

In the U.S. there are several groups that have been lobbying, and continue to lobby, for a national broadband strategy. In addition to the group described in the Washington Post article noted in today’s entry and others, there is the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Internet for Everyone and Connected Nation. All of them, in one way or another, stress the fact that broadband networks can impact the productivity of industries and the economy and have a significant positive impact on public safety, health care, education, and countless other functions. They also note that like any other infrastructure project, the deployment and use of broadband will significantly increase and maintain job growth well beyond the initial investment.

To top it off, these groups have done some valuable research to back up their claims like (i) a 7% increase in broadband adoption could result in $134 billion per year in total direct economic impact (including $662 million saved per year in healthcare costs), (ii) a 7% increase in broadband adoption could result in savings of $6.4 Billion per year in miles not driven and a corresponding $18 million in carbon credits, and (iii) increased use of broadband could reduce dependence on foreign oil by as much as 11% during the next 10 years.

No one in Canada, including CATA and ITAC, has developed such a strong case for the adoption and implementation of a national broadband strategy. This is the kind of effort it takes to get a government and legislators off its/their proverbial ass(es) and do something and it is this kind of effort that results in getting a President-elect to talk openly of having a national Chief Technology Officer and openly discussing the pros and cons of a national broadband strategy.

So, the question is will such an effort be made in Canada and, if so, who is going to undertake it? Does Canada need a Telecommunications Industry Association or groups like Connected Nation or Internet for Everyone?

Unfortunately, I don’t think a national broadband strategy will ever become a mainstream issue in Canada and get active consideration until one or more groups like those in the U.S. take up the cause and develop and make the case for such a strategy. I hope I’m wrong but I just don’t see it.