National Broadband Task Force supports increased research and improves chances of CANARIE bid for CA*net 4

The political environment for CANARIE Inc’s drive to fund the next generation of high-speed research infrastructure through CA*Net 4 has been given a significant boost with the release of the eagerly awaited Report of the National Broadband Task Force. While CANARIE and its CA*net 4 proposal aren’t specifically mentioned, the vision laid out by the blue chip Task Force is complimentary to the kind of infrastructure and financing models CANARIE has been championing for at least one year.

The report also underlines the need for continued applications development, which CANARIE has successfully supported for several years now. And the arm’s length agency is preparing a submission to enter the content side of broadband. It reveals its intent in a submission to the Task Force, which was copied verbatim in the final report.

“The Task Force was a very successful five-month exercise. We developed a common view of where the key challenges are and how the government can address them,” says Dr Andrew Bjerring, a Task Force member and president & CEO CANARIE Inc. “Broadband access is fundamental to the development of an innovative culture in Canada and support for research and education is also critical. CA*net 4 will be an enabler of collaborative research across the disciplinary spectrum.”

The report strongly supports increased funding for research for new applications, content and underlying technologies, as well as the basic sciences including microelectronics, photonics and wireless. It also delves into the necessity for developing, retaining and attracting a skilled work force to “ensure Canada’s competitiveness in a networked economy” — nicely dovetailing with the industry lobbying campaign of eMPOWR Canada (R$, April 6/01, page 8).

“We need to invest in the core technology sectors of a broadband network, which is the underlying infrastructure and core applications,” says Bjerring. “We’re just beginning the process of how to best apply the technology for telelearning and telehealth. The ICT (information and communication technology) sector is a growing component of virtually all economies. Nations with the greatest ICT growth are those with the greatest productivity growth.”

Dr Birendra Prasada, president of the Canadian Institute of Telecommunications Research, agrees that public support for basic broadband research is essential.

“It’s very important because we know how fast technology changes,” he says. “For 2001 we must make technology choices today, but we must also look to future technologies and that’s the role of universities.”

The Task Force mandate to suggest ways to meet a 2004 deadline for bringing high-speed broadband access to every business, household and public institution carries a price tag of up to $4.57 billion.

But the costs of increasing research in these areas is not covered by the recommendations. Instead, the price tag covers the cost to government (and likely the private sector) for bringing broadband access to all Canadians, regardless of their proximity to large urban areas. But the participation of the private sector is dependent upon government extending appropriate links and infrastructure to all public institutions.

“Right now the business case for providing service to all Canadians doesn’t exist,” says Bjerring. “But if you remove the element of distance from the equation, then there is an ample business case for investment by the private sector. But the public must invest in the long haul link.”

Bjerring adds that media coverage of the Task Force report has ignored its essential thrust which is a inclusionary approach consistent with Canada’s historical traditions.

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