Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund

Who can apply

Applications will be accepted from residents, businesses, communities, and internet service providers (ISPs) proposing a broadband project to increase Internet service levels, improve access, and expand consumer choice, specifically in underserved areas of the province.

Internet Service Providers: An ISP installing broadband infrastructure that will improve internet access to a community, increase service levels, and/or improve consumer choice may be eligible for PEIBF support where costs will be incurred for broadband network construction and deployment, including “last mile” and/or backbone infrastructure. Projects reaching underserved civic addresses will be prioritized.

1. Business: A PEI for-profit or not-for-profit business may be eligible for support for costs incurred for new or upgraded internet services to their business premises. Broadband Fund Application for Business
2. Community: A community requiring increased service levels or improved access to areas that are underserved or without service may be eligible for support for proposed broadband improvement projects.

Residents: PEI residents with no access to service or experiencing slow internet speed (below 50 Mbps) may be eligible for financial assistance towards the cost of an Internet service provider (ISP) to improve internet access at their primary residence.

You may be eligible to access the Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund (PEIBF) if you are:

1. An ISP that is installing broadband infrastructure that will provide improved access of 50/10 to underserved civic addresses and/or provide an increased level of service and/or improved consumer choice;
2. A corporation, either for profit or not-for-profit, that is incorporated in Canada and:

• Is registered to do business in the province of Prince Edward Island;
• Is registered as a Telecommunications provider with the CRTC;

3. A Canadian provincial, territorial or municipal entity;
4. An Indigenous entity including:

• A profit or non-profit organization run by and for First Nations, Metis, or Inuit peoples;
• A band council within the meaning of section 2 of the Indian Act (Canada);
• An indigenous government authority established by a Self-Government Agreement or a Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement;

5. A public sector body that is established by statute or by regulation or is wholly owned by a province, municipal or regional government which provides services to communities; or
6. A partnership, joint venture or consortium that is composed of parties identified in (a), (b), (c) and/or (d) above;

And, that:

1. Builds owns and operates broadband infrastructure; or
2. Enters into a contractual arrangement with an entity identified in (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above to design, build, own and operate broadband infrastructure

Support is provided for increased service levels of 50/10. Any elements or areas of a project that propose to overbuild existing services that offer 50/10 speeds may be removed from the final project upon review. Any projects proposing to overbuild existing services to any degree may be assessed less favourably relative to competing proposals that do not.

A project may be eligible for support through the fund where costs will be incurred for broadband network construction and deployment, including “last mile” and/or backbone infrastructure. This program seeks to reduce duplication and overbuild of existing broadband network infrastructure. Costs associated with uneconomic excess capacity and overbuilding existing broadband infrastructure may not be considered. Applicants must be in good standing with the Government of Prince Edward Island.

You may be eligible to access the Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund (PEIBF) if you are:

1. A Prince Edward Island for-profit business that is a sole proprietorship, partnership, cooperative or limited liability company that requires access to new or upgraded services to their business premises.
2. Not-for-profit businesses
3. Teleworking access

New project submissions from an applicant in default on any reporting, project completion or financial obligation to Innovation PEI will not be reviewed until a resolution to the default is reached.

A project may be eligible for PEIBF support where costs will be incurred for a business to gain access to new or upgraded internet services to their business premises.