Quebec announces $900m for provincial broadband initiative

[Almost totally ignored in the English Canadian press was the recent announcement by the Quebec government to spend $900m to provide high speed next generation Internet to all of Quebec.
Kudos to the Quebec government for understanding the importance of broadband to the Quebec economy and addressing head on the cable/telco duopoly.  Like the UCAN initiative in the US this program will build upon the existing R&E infrastructure deployed by RISQ that connects most universities, schools, libraries in Quebec.  This initiative also builds on Quebec’s leadership in building Green IT economy announced in last years’ budget.  http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/2010/10/quebec-prompt-world-leadership.html

http://www.budget.finances.gouv.qc.ca/Budget/2011-2012/fr/documents/PlanBudgetaire.pdf
Page 96

The implementation of a strategy for the digital economy


To address these important issues for economic development
Quebec, the government intends to implement a strategy for the economy
digital. The strategy's main objective is to increase the capacity of
citizens, businesses and organizations to take full advantage of
possibilities offered by digital technologies.

Quebec's strategy seeks primarily to provide Quebec with a network
providing Internet service to high speed in all regions of Quebec by
2020.

For Quebec to take its place among the digital companies
modern and prosperous investments totaling $ 900 million in
infrastructure will be done by 2020. The funds will finance
investment, particularly in the fiber optic detection equipment, the
connectors networks and telecommunications infrastructure. It is expected
that 20% of this sum will be invested in various suburban areas
Quebec, while the remaining amount will be spent in the more remote areas.


The success of this strategy involves the development and enhancement of
capacity of existing infrastructure, both public and private. It is expected
that these strategic investments will be made largely on
networks currently in place. The deployment strategy will therefore
pressing the assets installed in the territory of Quebec, which includes:

⎯ Network integrated multimedia telecommunications, offering a service
data transmission networks for health departments and
other public bodies;

⎯ Information Network Research Québecbased
mainly universities and colleges;

⎯ school buildings, municipal buildings, public libraries, and
hospitals and research centers;

⎯ other public transport networks.

To this end, additional funding of $ 1.1 million in 2011-2012, of
$ 4.5 million in 2012-2013 and $ 9.0 million in 2013-2014
will be awarded by Treasury Board Secretariat. Credits required for
2011-2012 will be filled at the same Fund.
Chair of Treasury Board will further clarify the details of the
strategy for the digital economy.


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Green Internet Consultant. Practical solutions to reducing GHG emissions such as free broadband and electric highways. http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/

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