FAQ – Annual Facilities (2XX)

Form 256 - Geographic residential broadband capability

This seems like a lot of information. What do you need it for?

Our mandate involves reporting on the status of competition in Canadian telecommunications markets, including Internet access, and on the deployment and accessibility of advanced telecommunications infrastructure and services in urban and rural areas in all regions of Canada.

The data collected here help us do both those things. Through detailed geographic information, we will be able to analyse the availability of high-speed Internet services in Canada, which will assist in the administration of the 750 million dollar broadband fund.

In addition, the Commission has been asked by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to assist in determining the availability of broadband services for the purposes of administering the 2.75 billion dollar broadband stimulus package under the “Universal Broadband Fund” initiative.

Accurate information will ensure an efficient distribution of funds for these two programs, and that areas with existing services are avoided.

And because this information will be looked at across providers, we will also be able to show where competition has taken hold for high-speed Internet access and where, on the contrary, very little competition exists.

I have maps in files to submit, but how do I attach them to the form?

The file attachment feature is accessed by clicking on “Upload File” next to the paperclip icon [image] on the top of the form. Multiple files that form the coverage at a specific time should be put into a single ZIP file, such as, for instance, Cvg_Dec31_2021.zip & Cvg_May_2022.zip. Even if there is only one period represented, use the ZIP format to create a single attachment.

I submitted information to ISED in the context of a broadband funding application. Is this sufficient?

Unfortunately, no. Only submissions provided to ISED’s Connected Canada Branch (ic.broadband-largebande.ic@canada.ca) in broadband feedback format count as a previous submission. Please refer to: Broadband network feedback from Internet service providers. The files for your ISED submission must be attached to your form 256. This includes Excel workbooks, geographic coverage files, and tower locations if required.

ArcGIS and MapInfo are expensive software packages. I do not have access to them.

The free and open-source alternative QGIS produces files in the appropriate formats. You may find it at https://qgis.org/en/site/.

You may also use the ISED Universal Broadband Fund Eligibility Mapping Tool, which can be found at https://ised-isde.canada.ca/app/scr/sittibc/web/. You may take existing maps in KML/KMZ format and upload them to the tool to add the necessary information.

What if I do not have information in map format?

Alternative arrangements are available. It may be possible to combine various pieces of geographic information available to the Commission with your company’s available information to get an approximate map.

The ISED Universal Broadband Fund Eligibility Mapping Tool (see above) can be used to create broadband maps. It contains a variety of tools to, for instance, turn roadway-by-roadway coverage into a map, or draw circles to represent RF coverage.

How are broadband services defined?

Broadband services include broadband Internet access. Bandwidth utilised to provide digital television services over coaxial cable or access-dependant VoIP is not considered broadband for the purposes of this form.

How are coverage regions defined?

Coverage areas are defined as geographically separate areas, or contiguous areas with different attributes. For example, if a single city is served by two cable head-ends, and one is capable of delivering 20 mbps per user, and one 50 mbps per user, the service areas must be separate regions on the map. In addition, different technologies require separate regions.

Do I submit a map of our full coverage footprint or just the additions that occurred within the last calendar year?

Submit a map of your full coverage footprint.

I only provide business internet services. Is there any requirement to provide data on this form?

This form only focuses on residential broadband. Please indicate in the notes field a short description of the services that you offer. The REP-F can be re-issued upon request for corrections, as required.

I will be providing a residential broadband service in the future. However, as the service is not yet active, is there any requirement to provide future data on this form?

There is no requirement to provide future data. Please include a short description of your situation and services that you will offer.

This form collects year-end (required) maps as of 31 December of this reporting period and maps for current coverage (optional), if it differs.

What if there are some internet packages in certain areas that we no longer add new customers on but are still offered to existing customers? Do we still need to show those areas as having coverage on our Form 256 submission?

Please still include the residential broadband coverage of these areas with a comment explaining this either within the data field structure or at the bottom of the form, as long as it is clear which areas this comment applies to.

We no longer offer residential broadband coverage in an area we previously submitted maps for. How should I flag this?

Please indicate this in the notes field. Refer to the AreaID or Area identifier previously provided, if possible.

There was a methodology change that resulted in differences in the areas covered by our residential broadband coverage maps this year versus last year. How should I flag this?

Please indicate this in the notes field.

We are unable to identify broadband coverage by speed because our network utilizes a technology that is distance sensitive (i.e. DSL or fixed wireless).  What can we provide instead?

The broadband coverage can be estimated by making some assumptions based upon type of technology used, and the distance from the transmission equipment. These assumptions must be provided in the comment field of the form. Contact the Prime Analyst for assistance.

In many cases, providing the data in the form of servable locations may provide a solution. Servable locations must be provided using points in your GIS software, and not just a list of addresses. See form for details.

This form has a field regarding satellite backhaul. We utilise satellite backhaul to provide service to areas, do I need to submit additional information?

This refers to the backhaul technology of the transport network. It is the long-range technology utilised by a network providing residential broadband service to connect back to a core network or the internet. In your submission of residential broadband coverage data, for each coverage area where a satellite link is used anywhere in the backhaul connection, please provide a value of “Yes” in a column labelled “Satellite Backhaul”.

I provide residential broadband to an area using wired or fixed wireless technologies, but this network is connected to the rest of the Internet via a satellite link. Is this considered satellite backhaul?

Yes, if a network uses a satellite link anywhere in the path to connect to the Internet, report the coverage area with “Yes” in the satellite backhaul field.

Form 256t - Geographic residential broadband capability towers - Additional instructions for fixed wireless service providers

This seems like a lot of information. What do you need it for?

This information correlates with the last mile geographic coverage maps provided with form 256 to further characterize the unique properties of last mile services delivered using wireless technologies in areas where 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload or faster services are provided.

Am I required to include public frequency bands?

Yes.

Should I report point-to-point or point to multi-point locations?

Please report point to multi-point locations. 

I have equipment co-located on another company’s towers. Do I still need to file the additional instructions for fixed wireless service providers?

Yes. We need to know the specific details of your equipment installed on these towers.

What is the release / version field referring to?

It is referring to the standard release / version number of the wireless technology standard. For example, if the standard were LTE, it would be the LTE release number.

For spectrum license status, how do I find out if the frequencies are applicable and if a license needs to be acquired?

For spectrum licensing questions, contact the spectrum management office: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric/ric-66-addresses-and-telephone-numbers-district-offices.

In the scope of this form, could other structures be reported as “towers”?

Yes. While “towers” are commonly used to support fixed wireless broadband equipment, other structures may also serve this purpose and should be reported under this category. These include masts, poles, rooftops, grain bins/silos, micro POPs (points of presence), and other mounting sites that enable service delivery at speeds of 50/10 Mbps or greater.

If I submit Wireless to the Premises (WTTP) latitude and longitudes with 50/10 Mbps and greater residential broadband services, instead of polygons, does the 256t requirement still apply?

Yes. Please file the 256t with a record for each coordinate pair.

Form 278 - Mobile & Paging Coverage and MVNOs

We are a facilities-based mobile service provider, are we required to provide coverage information?

Yes. We require this data to compute the availability of mobile services in Canada. The geographic information must be interpretable using the MapInfo format version 6.5 or higher. If you have difficulties supplying this data, please contact us as soon as possible.

We have maps of our analogue and digital mobile coverage. Can we submit those?

Yes. We accept map-based data files that provide geographic information. These maps may be either your total coverage for both analogue or digital or separate maps for analogue and digital. However, maps illustrating each mobile technology coverage should be submitted as separate attachments.

Form 267 - Gigabit transport network endpoints

This seems like a lot of information. What do you need it for?

The capability of transport networks in Canada is a concern for both CRTC and ISED, especially in rural areas.

CRTC and ISED seek location-based information on transport network endpoints for the purpose of identifying the availability of transport infrastructure to communities and 3rd parties. The proximity to communities and capacity of these endpoints may be evaluated as a means of estimating overall network capacity. This data may also be used to assess competition in the availability of advanced transport services.

We are an educational network that provides active capacity to members only, and no public Internet access, do we need to file this form?

There is no requirement to file the form in your circumstances. However, if you wish to report dark fibre that you make available to outsiders, you may, but this is optional.

I do not own any equipment at the point of interconnection. Do I need to report?

It is not necessary to report, if you do not own the equipment at the transport network endpoints.

I built a network using leased capacity and/or IRUs. Do I need to report?

Yes, you still need to report providing that you own the equipment at the transport network endpoints. For example, if you built your network out of leased lines from another carrier, you need to report it if you made it part of your transport network in order to supply a transport endpoint.

If you are able to break out fibre from an existing route, include the map with any routes you fully own or lease (such as IRU).

I have examined the instructions, and I do not offer any of the services listed, either transport or Internet access. How do I indicate that the form is not applicable?

Please indicate in the notes field why you think you do not need to file this form. Please include a short description of your situation and services that you offer. This will also help up better refine REP-F so that this form is not assigned to you in the future.

Do I need to report unlicensed microwave transport network endpoints (1 Gbps or higher)?

Given that this is unlicensed microwave, there will be no need to report this information at all.

This form collects information on fibre-optic or high-capacity licensed microwave transport network endpoints (1 Gbps or higher).

We are a municipality that has transport network endpoints (1 Gbps or higher) for our own services only (such as a library or community centre), and no public Internet access, do we need to file this form?

There is no requirement to file the form in your circumstances. However, if you wish to report dark fibre that you make available to outsides, you may, but this is optional.

This form has a field entitled “Technology”. How is the technology defined? What would be an example?

This refers to the backhaul technology of the transport network attached to this endpoint. If the long-range technology is less capable, or higher latency than the immediate network technology, specify the long-range technology.

For instance, if a local fibre-based transport network has its ultimate backhaul over satellite, specify satellite.

This form has a field entitled “Active as of year-end (YE) or mid-year (MY)”. How are YE and MY defined?

For example, the survey collection that begins and ends in 2021 collects endpoints operational as of the 31st of December 2020 (YE).  If you wish, you may also choose to include points active as of mid-year or mid-2021 (MY).

When submitting the Form 267 due to changes, should all the data be provided or just the additional data that changed since the last submission?

All data should be provided.

Form 2191 - Residential homes passed by FTTP/FTTN and IPTV

In the scope of this form, is FTTP considered the same as FTTH?

Yes, please consider FTTP as equivalent to FTTH when completing this form.

Form 266 - Publicly available WiFi hotspots

What would be examples of indoor hotspot locations?

Indoor hotspots are unique address locations. These can encompass businesses and indoor venue locations such as a hotel or a café.

What types of WiFi are except from this form?

WiFi technology used for fixed wireless is outside the scope of this form. When WiFi is part of the modem and only for the use of the subscriber, there is no requirement to report this on the form.

Form 269 - Microwave and satellite transport dependent community list

Our microwave systems are used where there is fibre. Do I need to report?

Given that the communities are connected by fibre transport (backbone) and those communities are not microwave or satellite dependent, there will be no need to report this information at all.

Should we answer yes to “Do you serve communities that are dependant on Microwave or Satellite transport (at any capacity, including < 1Gbps)? ” if we are using another entity’s microwave transport?

Yes, if that is the only transport to the community.

We are a satellite operator. What information do we provide on the form?

This form collects information on satellite or licensed microwave connected communities in Canada. These are communities where terrestrial networks rely on satellite or microwave transport.

If you are operating Earth Stations in communities (community aggregator model, not direct-to-home), from which you provide service to downstream customers (wholesale or retail services), please report those community locations. However, if you are providing the satellite capacity to providers operating the terrestrial facilities on the ground, then the provider on the ground should report.

What is the PNuid?

PNuid is the identifier for geolocated placenames in Canada. The Geolocated placenames in Canada data is available at https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/fe945388-1dd9-4a4a-9a1e-5c552579a28c .

Can you explain how communities that have telecommunications services available to external retail and/or wholesale customers are defined?

This excludes a provider’s transport infrastructure that passes through a community that is not used to serve that community. Please exclude any communities where you do not operate an access network providing service to customers or provide wholesale services that result in service to customers in the community.

For example, do not report a community where microwave transport towers are located to only carry capacity through the community, for use in other areas, but do not result in service to that specific community.

Some systems consist of several communities that share the total bandwidth across the entire system. How do I report this?

Please report the aggregate capacity. Aggregate capacity is the sum of the maximum transport data rates possible by the upstream transport links connecting the community, regardless of the current use, configuration of the network, or services available.

For instance, a community with 1 Gbps capable fibre link, but upstream relies on less-capable 2 x 100 Mbps microwave links, should be reported as 200 Mbps. All capacity, whether commercially available or not, must be reported.

Does this form relate to transport we provide to other retailers or a far away community that we provide services to that is fed by a microwave link to our main core?

Yes, the form encompasses both these scenarios. The form includes communities that rely on microwave or satellite links somewhere between their core and the PoP serving the community. These includes offering wholesale services to other providers or retail services to subscribers in a community.

What is the difference between The Form 269 and the Form 267 - Gigabit transport network endpoints?

The Form 269 includes transport services with any capacity including less than 1 Gbps. In contrast, the form 267 collects information on transport network endpoints that have a capacity of 1 Gbps or greater.

The Form 269 is based on communities rather than endpoints. Depending on technology, a network could be served by an endpoint that is quite far away. Therefore, just providing an endpoint location may not indicate which community it is serving. For example, in the case of a GPON network fed by microwave, that serves multiple communities up to 20 km away, the transport endpoint location does not indicate which communities are served.

I have examined the instructions, and I do not serve communities that are dependant on microwave or satellite transport. How do I indicate that the form is not applicable?

Please indicate in the notes field why you think you do not need to file this form. Please include a short description of your situation and services that you offer. This will also help us better refine REP-F so that this form is not assigned to you in the future. The REP-F can be re-issued upon request for corrections, as required.

When submitting the Form 269 due to changes, should all the data be provided or just the additional data that changed since the last submission?

All data should be provided.

Date modified:

2026-01-23