Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream
Highlights
This program is a great opportunity for your business to enhance its broadband infrastructure quickly and efficiently. By applying, you can access up to $5 million in funding to develop or expand high-speed Internet services in rural and remote areas. This financing can help you meet the immediate connectivity needs of households that currently lack adequate Internet speeds.
Key Benefits:
- Rapid deployment: Funding is allocated for projects that can be completed swiftly, ensuring your business can make a significant impact in a short time.
- Government-backed support: This program offers a reliable source of financing, reducing the financial risk for your business.
- Targeted impact: Focus on areas with the greatest need, enhancing your reputation and fostering community goodwill.
By being approved, your business will not only gain financial support but also contribute to bridging the digital divide, helping communities stay connected and thrive. The qualification process is straightforward, making it easier for you to access the funds and start your project promptly.
Financing Details
Type of Financing:
Grant: Receive a contribution of up to $5 million for a shovel-ready broadband infrastructure project.
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
No repayment required for the grant received.
Eligible Expenses:
Cover costs for a broadband project to provide high-speed Internet at 50/10 Mbps in rural and remote areas.
Ineligible Expenses:
Funds cannot be used for activities already in progress or for purposes other than improving household access to high-speed Internet.
Fees:
No fees associated with the grant program.
Qualifications
Must be one of the following:
- A not-for-profit organization
- A for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada
- A Canadian provincial, territorial, or municipal entity
- A Band Council
- An Indigenous government authority
- A non-federal public sector body
- A partnership of any of the entities listed above
- Must demonstrate the ability to develop broadband networks within the program's time constraints.
- Must target areas that do not already have 50/10 Mbps service according to the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map.
- Must have the capability to deploy the project quickly, with equipment, materials, human resources, plans, and funds ready and secured.
- Must not require access to third-party passive infrastructure, or must have already secured such access if necessary.
- Must not require a new spectrum license, or must have already secured such a license.
Must have all necessary municipal permits or evidence that these permits will be obtained promptly.
Disqualifications:
- Projects in areas or households already covered with 50/10 Mbps speeds.
- Projects that cannot demonstrate how they plan to expand or upgrade existing broadband projects.
- Projects that do not meet all the program's requirements and eligibility parameters.
- Organizations with less managerial, financial, and technical expertise or experience.
- Organizations with a track record of not meeting deadlines or experiencing significant issues in previous projects.
- Projects that have not secured or are not close to securing the remaining necessary funding.
- Projects aiming to develop slower Internet networks than 50/10 Mbps.
- Projects that have not yet secured access to third-party passive infrastructure if necessary.
- Projects that have not yet secured municipal permits or show no indication that these permits will be obtained in the near future.
Description
This program offers your business up to $5 million to fund broadband infrastructure projects. The goal is to bring high-speed Internet at 50/10 Megabits per second to households in rural and remote communities.
The funding can cover:
- Equipment and materials
- Labor costs
- Other necessary expenses to get the project up and running quickly
The money is a contribution, not a loan, so you don't need to pay it back. This can significantly reduce your financial burden while expanding your service area.
By participating, you can enhance your business's reach and provide essential Internet services to underserved areas, boosting both your business and the community.
Program Steps
Complete the Application Form: Start by filling out the Rapid Response Stream Application form. This is the primary document that outlines your project details and your business information.
Prepare Required Documentation: Gather and prepare the following documents to support your application:
- Rapid Response Stream Eligibility and Impacts Template
- Rapid Response Stream Detailed Budget Template
- Rapid Response Stream Last-mile Internet Service Offerings
- Project maps designed with the Eligibility Mapping Tool
- Incorporation documents
- Independently prepared financial statements for the last 3 years
- Project schedule (Gantt chart)
- If applicable, an acknowledgment from the Indigenous community supporting the project (e.g., Band council resolution, letter from Chief in Council, etc.)
- Other supporting documents
Generate Project Coverage Map: Use the Eligibility Mapping Tool to create project coverage maps. Ensure these maps include the associated statistics in kml/kmz format.
Submit Application Package: Compile all the prepared documents and submit your complete application package through the ISED Broadband Connection portal.
Review and Follow Up: After submission, monitor the status of your application. Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested by the review committee.
Await Approval: Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive a Conditional Approval. This allows you to begin incurring eligible project costs.
Finalize Contribution Agreement: Work with the program administrators to finalize the Contribution Agreement. Ensure all terms and conditions are understood and agreed upon.
Begin Project Implementation: Upon finalizing the Contribution Agreement, proceed with the deployment of your broadband project as per the approved plan and schedule.