Connecting Communities BC Program

November 18, 2022

In Canada Funding for Municipalities British Columbia Job Creation Innovation Technology

The Connecting Communities BC (CCBC) program aims to utilize technologies such as fibre cable, and fixed wireless

The funding for CCBC comes from a joint investment of up to $830 million by the provincial and federal governments to support the expansion of broadband connectivity infrastructure to all homes by 2027. The minimum required download and upload speeds for broadband internet services to meet program requirements are 50 Mbps and 10 Mbps. 

 

Project Eligibility

To be eligible for funding contributions under the CCBC, applications must: 
  • Extend or enhance underserved household access to Broadband Service in eligible areas 
  • Cover areas that do not have consistent 50/10 Mbps service
  • Propose to deliver minimum service speeds of 50/10 Mbps
  • Provide Open Access to Points-of-Presence (PoPs)

Furthermore, the application must demonstrate that: 

  • The Project has a sustainable, viable and realistic technical solution.
  • The Project management and implementation plan is feasible.
  • It has the managerial and financial capacity to deliver the Project and to maintain
    the infrastructure and services on an ongoing basis for five years after Project
    Completion.
  • The Project will be financially sustainable.

Who Can Apply

An eligible applicant for the CCBC program is:

  • A corporation, either for profit or not-for-profit, that is incorporated in Canada;
  • An Indigenous entity including:
    • A profit or non-profit organization run by and for First Nations, Métis, or Inuit Peoples;
    • A band council within the meaning of section 2 of the Indian Act;
    • An Indigenous government authority established by a self-government agreement or a comprehensive land claim agreement; 
  • A public sector body that is established by statute or by regulation or is wholly owned by a provincial, municipal or regional government, which provides services to communities; or
  • A partnership, joint venture or consortium that is composed of parties identified above.

And, that:

  • Builds owns and operates broadband infrastructure; or
  • Enters into a contractual arrangement with an entity identified above to design, build, own and operate broadband infrastructure.

Funding Details 

Maximum funding amounts vary depending on location:

  • Rural areas are eligible for up to 75% funding
  • Remote Areas, Indigenous areas, or Satellite-dependent Areas are eligible for up to 90% funding

Eligible Project Costs

  • Eligible Costs include, but are not limited to, the following: 
    • Direct Labour Costs 
    • Direct Material Costs. 
    • Direct Equipment Costs 
    • Direct Satellite Capacity Costs
    • Direct Travel Costs 
    • Other Direct Costs

Eligible project Locations

Eligible Project Locations are those identified by the Province as having inconsistent 50/10 Mbps service, or those areas identified by ISED’s Availability Map as having less than 50/10 Mbps Broadband Service. 

 

Funding Deadline

The first intake of the Connecting Communities BC (CCBC) program closes on December 15 at 2:00 pm Pacific Time (PT). 

A second intake of the Connecting Communities BC program, will open for applications on December 16, 2022 at 9:00 am PST, and will close on February 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm PST.

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