Alberta-Canada partnership expands rural broadband

Reliable and affordable high-speed internet helps Albertans access online resources, stay connected to family and friends and participate in the growing digital economy.

The governments of Alberta and Canada are investing $24.8 million in two projects that will bring high-speed internet access to 1,833 households in rural and remote communities across the province.

The funding is part of an existing agreement between Alberta and Canada. On March 9, 2022, both governments announced a historic broadband partnership to invest up to $780 million to provide high-speed internet access to Albertans in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

"No matter where Albertans live, they should have access to reliable, high-speed internet. This investment will help connect more rural and remote communities, support local businesses, create new opportunities and improve access to the services people rely on every day. Together with the Government of Canada, we are building the infrastructure needed to keep Alberta communities connected."

"In today's day and age, every corner of Alberta should have access to dependable, affordable high-speed internet, whether that's in Swan Hills or Buck Lake. It's how people access virtual health care, start a business or just stay in touch with their loved ones. That's why we are committed to providing access to high-speed internet to 100 per cent of Canadian households by 2030. Today's announcement marks a step towards that goal."

Quick facts

• In Alberta, 98.2 per cent of households currently have access to high-speed internet.
• When the Alberta broadband strategy was launched in 2022, about 201,000 households could not access high speed internet. Since then, the following milestones have been achieved:
  • $646 million of the $780 million Universal Broadband Fund has funded a total of 82 projects and will bring high-speed access to about 137,100 households.
    • Twenty-one broadband projects have completed, bringing high-speed access to 20,600 households.
    • Forty-six broadband projects are in progress and will bring high-speed access to about 110,900 households.
    • Fifteen broadband projects are in the planning phase and will bring high-speed access to about 5,600 households.
  • Twenty-one broadband projects have completed, bringing high-speed access to 20,600 households.
  • Forty-six broadband projects are in progress and will bring high-speed access to about 110,900 households.
  • Fifteen broadband projects are in the planning phase and will bring high-speed access to about 5,600 households.
• An additional 93,700 households will be covered by federal programs and private sector investment.
• Altogether, more than 230,800 Alberta households have or will soon have high-speed internet access. This represents about 115 per cent of the 201,000 households originally identified as underserved when the Alberta Broadband Strategy was announced in 2022.
• Construction on all broadband strategy projects will create up to 2,000 jobs across Alberta.

Related news

Related information