Rural Connectivity

Digital connectivity is vital for economic prosperity and quality of life, yet rural communities can face disproportionately large gaps in services. Universal high speed internet access in rural Ontario isn’t anticipated before 2028, and cellular service remains unreliable and inconsistent.

ROMA has compiled the following resources to support rural municipalities in closing the digital divide in their communities:

  • In 2020, ROMA created two guides tailored for rural municipalities.
  • Standardized templates and handbooks are available to help municipalities save time and manage risks effectively.
    • The Municipal Access Agreement Light Template (from the Ministry of Infrastructure) helps municipalities negotiate access to their rights-of-way for provincially designated broadband projects.
    • The Rights of Way Handbook (from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities) supports staff working with private carriers.
  • Municipalities are encouraged to review high-speed internet and cellular coverage maps from provincial and federal governments, SWIFT, and Blue Sky Net. This data can support municipalities to identify and address coverage gaps. It can also be used to determine funding and regulatory decisions, so municipalities are encouraged to address any inaccuracies to ensure they can access all available funding.
  • Municipalities are strongly encouraged stay up to date and engage with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on decisions that determine how our communities get and stay connected. 
    • Submitting comments and seeking intervenor status in CRTC consultations is the only regulatory mechanism available to the public to ensure their views are heard. ROMA encourages municipalities to intervene in relevant consultations to ensure the rural perspective is understood and considered. Municipalities can find open consultations here and sign up for the CRTC mailing list here. 
    • Municipalities are encouraged to apply to future rounds of the Universal Broadband Fund.
    • Municipalities have until March 31, 2027 to ensure their emergency call centres are ready to provide Next Generation 9-1-1 services. 
    • ROMA called on the CRTC to talk to municipalities first before making decisions that could cut off landlines in areas without reliable internet or cellular coverage. For your reference, please find the link to the letter here.
    • ROMA is also stepping in to improve how cellular coverage is mapped by applying for intervenor status in this CRTC consultation.  We know many parts of rural Ontario still have dead zones, even when official maps say otherwise. We encourage municipalities to write to the CRTC and to help us push for more accurate maps and better cell service for everyone.