Federal Universal Broadband Fund expansion

Multi-billion dollar fund aims to end Canada's digital divide - Dec 10, 2020

OAKVILLE - November 10, 2020: The Federal government announced today that they are expanding funding for their Universal Broadband Fund to 1.75 billion. This will result in accelerated infrastructure expansion and help improve internet access for underserved communities across the country.

Additional funding for the Universal Broadband Fund is welcome news for ISP's who offer Internet service in rural areas such as SkyChoice as it will increase availability of their WiFibe service in more rural areas.

The Universal Access Fund includes the following 3 components:
- Up to $50 million available to support mobile Internet projects that primarily benefit Indigenous peoples, including projects along highways and roads where mobile connectivity is lacking.
- Up to $750 million available for large impact projects.
- Up to $150 million available as part of their Rapid Response Stream for projects that can be implemented on or before November 2021.

Today, high-speed Internet access is essential for all Canadians, no matter where they live. It is necessary to telework, to access on-line medicine, for distance learning and more. It helps businesses thrive, no matter where they are located, and it ensures that rural Canadians can transition smoothly to the digital economy. But there is a connectivity gap — Canadians living in rural and remote areas have less access to high-speed Internet than those living in urban areas.

That is why the Government of Canada launched the Universal Broadband Fund, which is designed to meet the needs of those living in rural and remote communities.

About SkyChoice Communications
Since 2013, SkyChoice has been offering innovative and value added television, home phone and high speed Internet services across Canada. In addition to DSL and Cable, SkyChoice also offers Internet service direct to the home or business via its own WiFibe wireless fiber network which continues to expand on a regular basis. For more information, please visit: www.skychoice.ca
Home > News > WiFibe Ultra 55, now available from SkyChoice

WiFibe Ultra 55, now available from SkyChoice

Higher speed service allows larger families to do more from home during these trying times - Oct 05, 2020

OAKVILLE - October 5, 2020: SkyChoice is proud to announce the launch of a new plan with twice the upload and download bandwidth for its WiFibe wireless fiber service. Featuring up to 55 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds, WiFibe Ultra 55 allows multiple users to do more at the same time, especially with families of 6 or more people.

"With more families now working and learning from home during these challenging times, it is important for their Internet service to keep up with the demand." said Serge Cormier, CEO of SkyChoice. "The launch of our Ultra 55 service surpasses the 50/10 minimum speed objective set forth by the Federal government and clearly shows SkyChoice's commitment in ending Canada's digital divide"

Initially launching in certain parts of Milton, Halton Hills and Georgetown, WiFibe Ultra 55 will be rolled out to other areas as the capacity of each tower is upgraded to enable delivery of the new higher speed service.

At a regular price of only $99 per month, the Ultra 55 service includes true unlimited data usage like all other WiFibe services that won't trottled down after a certain amount of usage is exceeded.


About SkyChoice Communications
Since 2013, SkyChoice has been offering innovative and value added television, home phone and high speed Internet services across Canada. In addition to DSL and Cable, SkyChoice also offers Internet service direct to the home or business via its own WiFibe wireless fiber network which continues to expand on a regular basis. For more information, please visit: www.skychoice.ca
Home > News > FCA rejects appeal from big telecom

FCA rejects appeal from big telecom

Federal Court of Appeal ruled to reject appeal of the 2019 CRTC decision - Sep 10, 2020

OAKVILLE - September 10, 2020: The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has ruled today to unanimously reject the appeal from Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Videotron and Cogeco in regards to the CRTC's 2019 decision to lower wholesale network access rates.

SkyChoice is pleased with the FCA's ruling as it provides greater cost certainty for smaller independent ISP's and will allow for lower cost Internet services to be offered soon.

The court had a unanimous 3-0 ruling as the appellants were not successful in convincing the three judges on any of the issues they raised in their appeal. In fact, the large carriers' appeal was dismissed with costs as many of the issues raised by Bell and the Cable Carriers in their appeal were of “dubious merit”.

"After Canadians have been paying some of the world's highest prices for Internet for so many years, we finally see light at the end of the tunnel for lower rates with this ruling." said Serge Cormier, CEO of SkyChoice. In fact according to a study performed by Picodi, Canada is among the top five most expensive countries when it comes to Internet.

However, lower rates from the CRTC's 2019 decision may not yet come into effect yet as the CRTC is also reviewing its own decision as part of the regulatory process and the federal government has indicated it could step in at some point if it thinks the arms-length regulator doesn't strike the right balance.


About SkyChoice Communications
Since 2013, SkyChoice has been offering innovative and value added television, home phone and high speed Internet services across Canada. In addition to DSL and Cable, SkyChoice also offers Internet service direct to the home or business via its own WiFibe wireless fiber network which continues to expand on a regular basis. For more information, please visit: www.skychoice.ca