Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-206 encompassing Telecom Decisions CRTC 2022-207, 2022-208, 2022-209, and 2022-210

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References: 2019-372, 2019-372-1, and 2019-372-2

Ottawa, 4 August 2022

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for TELUS Communications Inc.’s mobile and combination mobile/access/transport projects in Quebec

Summary

The Commission approves four funding applications by TELUS Communications Inc. for a total of up to $12,105,057 to build and/or upgrade mobile wireless, local fixed access, and transport infrastructure in a total of 26 communities and along approximately 305 kilometres of eligible major transportation roads in Quebec. The individual funding awards are set out in the following decisions, which are encompassed by this decision:

Applications

  1. In response to the Commission’s second call for applications for funding from the Broadband Fund set out in Telecom Notice of Consultation 2019-372, TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) filed various applications. In the four applications discussed in this decision, TCI requested funding for mobile projects, including a combination project that also has access and transport components, to introduce broadband Internet services or improve the services available to eligible areas in a total of 26 communities and along approximately 305 kilometres of eligible roads in Quebec. TCI proposed to implement projects that will offer mobile wireless services and/or fixed wireless access services consistent with the universal service objective, which the Commission defined in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2016-496.Footnote 1 TCI also proposed to build a new transport point of presence (PoP) as part of its combination project.
  2. Details for each application are provided in the individual funding decisions included in the Appendix to this decision:Footnote 2 Telecom Decision 2022-207, Telecom Decision 2022-208, Telecom Decision 2022-209, and Telecom Decision 2022-210

Commission’s analysis

  1. In Telecom Regulatory Policy 2018-377, the Commission established the eligibility and assessment criteria for the Broadband Fund. In Telecom Decision 2022-204, the introductory decision accompanying the round of funding decisions issued today, the Commission provided background information and described the eligibility and assessment process and selection considerations used to evaluate and select projects to be funded. In that decision, the Commission also set out the conditions that funding recipients must meet in order to receive funding for their projects. The introductory decision should be read in conjunction with this decision.

Eligibility criteria

  1. TCI’s applications met each of the relevant eligibility criteria applicable to transport, access, and mobile projects.Footnote 3 First, as a financially solvent and reliable Canadian corporation that is eligible to operate as a Canadian carrier and that has more than three years’ experience deploying and operating broadband infrastructure in Canada, TCI met each of the criteria for eligible applicants. In addition, TCI demonstrated that it will invest more than a nominal amount in each project, and that the projects would not be financially viable without funding from the Broadband Fund. Further, TCI provided evidence that it consulted or attempted to consult with communities affected by the projects, either directly or through community representatives. Finally, the projects will serve eligible geographic areas and will meet the requirements regarding minimum capacity and wholesale and retail open access services (applicable to transport services only), pricing and affordability (applicable to broadband Internet access services and mobile wireless services), service speeds (applicable to broadband Internet access services only), and the technology to be used to deliver service (applicable to mobile wireless services only).

Assessment criteria

  1. On the basis of its evaluation of TCI’s projects against the assessment criteria for transport, access, and mobile projects,Footnote 4 as set out below and in the Appendix to this decision, the Commission finds that the projects are all of high quality and will assist in achieving the goals of the Broadband Fund.
  2. The projects are all technically sound and capable of delivering the proposed capacity, speeds, and data allowances. In some cases, those speeds and allowances are consistent with the universal service objective, and in other cases, they represent a significant step towards attaining that objective. The proposed equipment is capable of delivering the proposed services and could be scaled to provide higher speeds, and the projects are all resilient. In addition, the projects will implement widely adopted and supported technologies with good long-term sustainability.
  3. For its combination project, TCI committed to providing wholesale and retail open access to the transport infrastructure. TCI submitted wholesale open access plans proposing dedicated service at various speeds and prices.
  4. The construction of mobile wireless projects and transport projects represents a long-term investment in critical infrastructure expansion and public safety. These types of projects are not necessarily expected to be profitable. With these factors in mind, the Commission considered various financial indicators to assess the financial viability of TCI’s projects and finds them to be financially sound and the proposed project costs to be reasonable. In addition, the Commission considers that for each project, a suitable proportion of the funding for the proposed total project costs comes from sources other than the Broadband Fund and finds that the cost per household to the Broadband Fund is reasonable for the access component of the combination project.
  5. The remaining evaluation details and the conclusions specific to each TCI application are set out in the individual funding decisions for the projects, which are included in the Appendix to this decision.

Conclusion

  1. As indicated in the funding decisions in the Appendix, the Commission approves four funding applications by TCI for a total of up to $12,105,057 to build and/or upgrade mobile wireless, local fixed access, and transport infrastructure in eligible areas in a total of 26 communities and along approximately 305 kilometres of eligible major transportation roads in Quebec. The Commission’s approvals in the individual funding decisions are subject to the directions and conditions set out in paragraphs 30 to 40 of the introductory decision (Telecom Decision 2022-204).
  2. The Commission reminds TCI of the funding condition related to the duty to consult (see subparagraph 36(g) of Telecom Decision 2022-204) and expects TCI to keep local Indigenous groups informed of its projects so that the Commission can be satisfied that any adverse impact on Aboriginal or treaty rights will be identified and addressed.

Policy Directions

  1. The 2006 Policy DirectionFootnote 5 and the 2019 Policy DirectionFootnote 6 (collectively, the Policy Directions) state that the Commission, in exercising its powers and performing its duties under the Telecommunications Act (the Act), shall implement the telecommunications policy objectives set out in section 7 of the Act, in accordance with the considerations set out therein,Footnote 7 and should specify how its decisions can, as applicable, promote competition, affordability, consumer interests, and innovation.
  2. The Commission considers that its decision to approve funding from the Broadband Fund for the projects described in detail in this decision and in the individual funding decisions encompassed herein is consistent with the Policy Directions.
  3. Specifically, this decision to approve funding for four projects to build and/or upgrade infrastructure in order to introduce or improve mobile wireless services, fixed broadband Internet access services, and transport capacity in eligible areas in 26 communities in Quebec will help to close the gap in connectivity in underserved areas. There would be no business case for the projects without funding from the Broadband Fund. Funding the projects will help connect approximately 305 kilometres of major transportation roads and enable approximately 1,010 households to access voice services and/or broadband Internet access services that meet or exceed the universal service objective level, or that move those households closer to attaining that level, and thus respond to the social and economic needs of consumers. In doing so, this decision will implement the telecommunications policy objectives, including those set out in paragraphs 7(a), (b), and (h) of the Act.Footnote 8

Secretary General

Related documents

Appendix to Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-206

Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-207

Ottawa, 4 August 2022

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for TELUS Communications Inc.’s combination mobile/access/transport project in Quebec (including Route 138)

Application
  1. TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) requested $2,422,626 from the Broadband Fund to implement a project that will introduce mobile wireless services, fixed wireless access (FWA) services, and/or transport capacity to approximately 175 kilometres of eligible roads along parts of Route 138 and in eligible areas in three communities in Quebec: Port-Menier, Rivière-au-Tonnerre, and Rivière-Saint-Jean.
  2. For the mobile component, TCI indicated that it will offer long-term evolution – advanced (LTE-A) services with voice and text, with data limits ranging from 1 gigabyte (GB) per month to unlimited. For the access component, TCI indicated that it will offer FWA services with data limits ranging from 100 to 500 GB per month, with speeds of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 5 Mbps upload (25/5 Mbps). For the transport component, TCI indicated that it will build one new point of presence (PoP) with a capacity of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
Commission’s analysis
  1. As noted in Telecom Decision 2022-206 above, this application to serve eligible areas along parts of Route 138 and in three communities in Quebec has met all the relevant eligibility criteria, and the Commission has found it to be of high quality based on an evaluation of the project against the relevant assessment criteria.
  2. TCI provided evidence of consultation with the regional county municipality of Minganie, whose boundaries encompass most of the eligible project area. TCI also secured third-party funding for the project.
Conclusion
  1. In selecting the project for funding, the Commission concludes that, in providing mobile wireless services using an LTE-A network, the project exceeds the universal service objective criterion of implementing the latest generally deployed mobile wireless technology, which is currently LTE. In providing fixed broadband Internet access services with speeds of 25/5 Mbps and data allowances of 100 to 500 GB per month in an area that currently has no broadband service, the project will move the affected area closer to attaining universal service objective levels for access speeds and data allowances. Finally, due to the construction of the proposed transport PoP, the project is consistent with the universal service objective. The project will therefore have a significant positive impact on the eligible areas to be served, which encompass approximately 650 households and 175 kilometres of major transportation roads. In addition, the Commission concludes that supporting this project represents an efficient use of the funding available from the main component of the Broadband Fund.
  2. In light of the above, the Commission approves, to the extent and subject to the directions and conditions set out in paragraphs 30 to 40 of the introductory decision (Telecom Decision 2022-204), up to a maximum of $2,422,626 from the Broadband Fund to be distributed to TCI for the purpose of the mobile, access, and transport project described above and as set out in the approved statement of work.

Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-208

Ottawa, 4 August 2022

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for TELUS Communications Inc.’s mobile project in Quebec (including Routes 204, 283, and 389)

Application
  1. TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) requested $3,235,575 from the Broadband Fund to implement a project that will improve mobile wireless services to approximately 35 kilometres of eligible roads and in eligible areas in seven communities in Quebec. TCI proposed to use long-term evolution – advanced (LTE-A) technology to offer services with voice and text, with data limits ranging from 1 gigabyte (GB) per month to unlimited, along parts of Routes 204, 283, and 389, and in Barrage Manic-2, Lac-Frontière, Saint-Adalbert, Saint-Marcel, Saint-Philémon, Sainte-Félicité, and Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard.Footnote 9
Commission’s analysis
  1. As noted in Telecom Decision 2022-206 above, this application to serve eligible areas along major transportation roads and in seven communities in Quebec has met all the relevant eligibility criteria, and the Commission has found it to be of high quality based on an evaluation of the project against the relevant assessment criteria.
  2. TCI provided evidence of support for the project from three regional county municipalities, whose boundaries encompass most of the project area, and from three local organizations. TCI also secured third-party funding for the project.
Conclusion
  1. In selecting the project for funding, the Commission concludes that, in providing mobile wireless services using an LTE-A network, the project exceeds the universal service objective criterion of implementing the latest generally deployed mobile wireless technology, which is currently LTE. The project will therefore have a significant positive impact on the eligible areas to be served, which encompass approximately 170 households and 35 kilometres of major transportation roads. In addition, the Commission concludes that supporting this project represents an efficient use of the funding available from the main component of the Broadband Fund.
  2. In light of the above, the Commission approves, to the extent and subject to the directions and conditions set out in paragraphs 30 to 40 of the introductory decision (Telecom Decision 2022-204), up to a maximum of $3,235,575 from the Broadband Fund to be distributed to TCI for the purpose of the mobile project described above and as set out in the approved statement of work.

Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-209

Ottawa, 4 August 2022

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for TELUS Communications Inc.’s mobile project in Quebec (including Route 132)

Application
  1. TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) requested $2,490,446 from the Broadband Fund to implement a project that will improve mobile wireless services to approximately 35 kilometres of eligible roads and in eligible areas in three communities in Quebec. TCI proposed to use long-term evolution – advanced (LTE-A) technology to offer services with voice and text, with data limits ranging from 1 gigabyte (GB) per month to unlimited, along parts of Route 132 and in Mann Settlement, Matapédia, and Sainte-Florence.Footnote 10
Commission’s analysis
  1. As noted in Telecom Decision 2022-206 above, this application to serve eligible areas along major transportation roads and in three communities in Quebec has met all the relevant eligibility criteria, and the Commission has found it to be of high quality based on an evaluation of the project against the relevant assessment criteria.
  2. TCI provided evidence of support for the project from two regional county municipalities, whose boundaries encompass the entire project area. TCI also secured third-party funding for the project.
Conclusion
  1. In selecting the project for funding, the Commission concludes that, in providing mobile wireless services using an LTE-A network, the project exceeds the universal service objective criterion of implementing the latest generally deployed mobile wireless technology, which is currently LTE. The project will therefore have a significant positive impact on the eligible areas to be served, which encompass approximately 10 households and 35 kilometres of major transportation roads. In addition, the Commission concludes that supporting this project represents an efficient use of the funding available from the main component of the Broadband Fund.
  2. In light of the above, the Commission approves, to the extent and subject to the directions and conditions set out in paragraphs 30 to 40 of the introductory decision (Telecom Decision 2022-204), up to a maximum of $2,490,446 from the Broadband Fund to be distributed to TCI for the purpose of the mobile project described above and as set out in the approved statement of work.

Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-210

Ottawa, 4 August 2022

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372

Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for TELUS Communications Inc.’s mobile project in Quebec (including Routes 195 and 299)

Application
  1. TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) requested $3,956,410 from the Broadband Fund to implement a project that will improve mobile wireless services to approximately 60 kilometres of eligible roads and in eligible areas in 13 communities in Quebec. TCI proposed to use long-term evolution – advanced (LTE-A) technology to offer services with voice and text, with data limits ranging from 1 gigabyte (GB) per month to unlimited, along parts of Routes 195 and 299, and in Cap-Seize, Grande-Cascapédia, Rivière-Matane, Ruisseau-Gagnon, Saint-Adelme, Saint-Alexandre-des-Lacs, Saint-Jules, Saint-Léandre, Saint-Luc-de-Matane, Saint-René-de-Matane, Saint-Tharcisius, Saint-Vianney, and Sainte-Paule.Footnote 11
Commission’s analysis
  1. As noted in Telecom Decision 2022-206 above, this application to serve eligible areas along major transportation roads and in 13 communities in Quebec has met all the relevant eligibility criteria, and the Commission has found it to be of high quality based on an evaluation of the project against the relevant assessment criteria.
  2. TCI provided evidence of support for the project from four regional county municipalities, whose boundaries encompass the entire project area, and from a municipality that represents two of the affected communities. TCI also secured third-party funding for the project.
Conclusion
  1. In selecting the project for funding, the Commission concludes that, in providing mobile wireless services using an LTE-A network, the project exceeds the universal service objective criterion of implementing the latest generally deployed mobile wireless technology, which is currently LTE. The project will therefore have a significant positive impact on the eligible areas to be served, which encompass approximately 180 households and 60 kilometres of major transportation roads. In addition, the Commission concludes that supporting this project represents an efficient use of the funding available from the main component of the Broadband Fund.
  2. In light of the above, the Commission approves, to the extent and subject to the directions and conditions set out in paragraphs 30 to 40 of the introductory decision (Telecom Decision 2022-204), up to a maximum of $3,956,410 from the Broadband Fund to be distributed to TCI for the purpose of the mobile project described above and as set out in the approved statement of work.
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