Broadband Internet Service Coverage in Canada in 2014

The map depicts broadband Internet services that were available across Canada and the technologies used to provide those services as of the end of 2014. It forms part of the record of the proceeding initiated by Telecom Notice of Consultation 2015-134.

*Internet speeds at or above the CRTC’s targets may not be achievable throughout the entire LTE coverage area.

Speeds

This map depicts the availability of broadband Internet access service at or above the CRTC’s target speeds of 5 megabits per second download and 1 megabits per second upload within hexagon areas of 25 square kilometres.

Served/Underserved

For the purpose of these maps, the entire hexagon is classified as “served” by the given technology if at least one household has access to these target speeds in that hexagon. The actual speeds and coverage may vary depending on the technology. For example, wireless signals may be affected by distance from the tower, terrain and weather; similarly cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) technologies may be affected by distance and other factors. Actual availability may therefore vary within a specific hexagon. “Unserved” and “underserved” areas simply display the population.

Technology

Cable : A communications technology that provides data transmission over coaxial cable.

: A communications technology that provides data transmission over coaxial cable. Digital subscriber line (DSL) : A data communications technology that provides data transmission over a copper local loop.

: A data communications technology that provides data transmission over a copper local loop. Fibre : A technology that uses glass threads or plastic fibres to transmit data using pulses of light.

: A technology that uses glass threads or plastic fibres to transmit data using pulses of light. Fixed Wireless : A wireless network that uses either licensed or unlicensed spectrum to provide communications services (voice and/or data) where the service is intended to be used in a fixed location.

: A wireless network that uses either licensed or unlicensed spectrum to provide communications services (voice and/or data) where the service is intended to be used in a fixed location. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Mobile : A protocol or standard used for communications between a mobile phone and cell towers in mobile networks. LTE is also referred to as 4G (fourth generation) cellular technology.

: A protocol or standard used for communications between a mobile phone and cell towers in mobile networks. LTE is also referred to as 4G (fourth generation) cellular technology. Satellite: Since satellite is a service with a national footprint, it is excluded from this map.

Data Sources

The CRTC gathered information from:

the record of the proceeding of the review of basic telecommunications services;

the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada;

the CRTC’s web-based Data Collection System that collects information from service providers on a regular basis; and

the public domain (e.g. information on the websites of service providers).