The Need The "Digital Gap" is growing at a more rapid rate amongst First Nations due to continued, rapid advancements in technology.
High speed connectivity has become synonymous with positive economic development, quality education, quality healthcare services and the preservation of Indigenous culture.
True connectivity will help many communities bridge the digital divide and provide these communities with equal opportunities to participate in wider local markets as well as the overall global economy, providing First Nations with more business and employment opportunities, including ones that reduce the need for migration to urban areas in search of work.
The digital infrastructure gap is estimated at $3.3 billion and of the 748 First Nations communities studied in this report, only 20 communities have the three infrastructure elements of fibre backbone, FTTH last mile and LTE Mobility services in place or have funds to put in place.
363 First Nation communities lack both broadband internet and standard cellular services.
81 First Nation communities require an estimated 12,280 km of fibre backbone cable to be installed – nearly twice the distance of the length of Canada.
Of 748 communities studied in the Closing the Infrastructure Gap 2030 report, 61% did not have adequate high speed internet access.
Broadband services of at least 50 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream (50/10) and cellular service were lacking, which are essential to everyday life in Canada.
Closing the digital connectivity gap will require an estimated $5.2 billion.
457 First Nation communities across Canada are still without adequate high-speed internet and 363 First Nation communities lack both broadband internet and standard cellular services.
Essential services like virtual schooling, online businesses, and digital healthcare depend on reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
81 First Nation communities require an estimated 12,280km of fibre backbone cable to be installed — nearly twice the distance of the length of Canada.
Testimonial
CTIG Bio Callout Sample
In partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, we co-developed the National Cost Estimate, outlining the investment required to Close the Infrastructure Gap by 2030 (CTIG 2030) — a critical step toward economic reconciliation.
Learn More About the BenefitsClosing the First Nations Digital Connectivity Gap Ensuring First Nations have the opportunity to thrive with full digital connectivity
Digital Infrastructure Solutions
The AFN worked with Planetworks and Innovation Sciences and Economic Development (ISED) Canada to identify the broadband and cellular gaps in First Nations communities. The need for three key telecommunications infrastructures was identified: a fibre backbone to the Internet, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) last mile, and at least Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or the latest available cellular technology for new builds.
The infrastructure gap is an estimated $5.2 billion, with only 20 First Nation communities having all three elements in place or funded. The CTIG 2030 report offers several recommendations for addressing the digital connectivity gap ranging from interim broadband solutions to annual quotas for services to connect unserved communities.
Read the Full Reports
Read the Full Report 1 — The National Cost Estimate
Read and download the Closing the Infrastructure Gap by 2030 – National Cost Estimate report, which includes the capital and operational investments needed by the Government of Canada to make its timeline to close the gap by 2030.
Read the Full Report 2 — The Prioritization and Implementation Plan
Read and download the Prioritization and Implementation Plan, which includes an estimate on the previous report’s investment needs and quantifies how the First Nations infrastructure gap will continue to grow by the year 2040 due to Government of Canada inaction and insufficient funding.