Alberta invests $390 million over five years to rural broadband service

Through Alberta’s Broadband Strategy, the Alberta government is investing $390 million over five years in rural broadband service so Albertans can stay connected, improve digital literacy, support their livelihoods and improve access to education, health care, and the global marketplace.

The initiative builds upon an existing agreement between the two levels of government. Back on March 9, 2022, they announced a partnership to invest up to $780-million in providing high-speed internet access to Albertans in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Under this agreement, approximately 300,000 households across Alberta will benefit from improved connectivity, with the federal and provincial governments sharing the funding equally.

The new funding announcement focuses on 14 projects that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 10,000 homes in 46 rural and remote communities across Alberta. The funding will support the deployment of critical infrastructure, laying the groundwork for reliable and affordable internet services.

Nate Glubish, Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, says this investment will be a game-changer for residents in rural and remote communities across Alberta.

“Access to reliable, high-speed internet will provide better education, health, and economic opportunities and will ensure that rural and Indigenous communities are full partners in Alberta’s growing economy,” says Minister Glubish. “Investing in rural connectivity is a top priority for Alberta’s government, and we are committed to ensuring that all Albertans, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable, high-speed internet.”

The announcement aligns with the Government of Canada’s broader goal of ensuring that 98 per cent of Canadians have access to high-speed internet by 2026, with a vision for 100 per cent coverage by 2030. For Alberta, this investment brings the province closer to achieving its goal of providing reliable high-speed internet access to every community by the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year.