CRTC takes action to help bring high-speed Internet to County of Forty Mile

By Southern Alberta Newspapers on June 20, 2025.

The CRTC is taking action to help bring high-speed fibre Internet to 18 rural communities in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

Through its Broadband Fund, the CRTC is committing over $17 million to these projects including the County of Forty Mile.

The Commission approved the County of Forty Mile’s funding application for up to $3,250,751 to build approximately 105 kilometres of fibre infrastructure. This project will bring high-capacity transport services to four eligible communities in southeastern Alberta, comprising approximately 373 households.

This project will have a significant positive impact on the communities to be served by improving the reliability of the Internet services that they depend on.

The County of Forty Mile consulted the affected communities and received letters of support from a local school division and several businesses. In their letter of support, the Colony School Supervisor for the Prairie Rose Public School Division expressed full support of the fibre optic cable installation.

Shaw Communications Inc.’s Vice President of Government Relations indicated support for the County’s application, noting that the proposed project would help bring more competition and connectivity to residents and businesses in the region. The Commission also received letters of intent from businesses in the County, which support the provision of high quality, accessible, and affordable broadband services using long-term open-access infrastructure.

In 2019, the CRTC launched the Broadband Fund to help connect rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada. To date, the fund has improved high-speed Internet and cellphone services in over 290 communities, connecting essential institutions such as schools, health care facilities, and community centres.

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