Policy, research, and reports

Access research and reports to understand the province's connectivity landscape and benefits.

The Connectivity Division works to expand access to high-speed internet to under-served rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in B.C. It also works to support the expansion of cellular service along highways. To inform that work, the Division produces research and reports to understand the province's connectivity landscape.

Topics covered on this page:

• Connectivity Economic Benefits studies
• The BC Connectivity reports
• Understanding internet speeds
• Research and reports
• Legislation and regulation policy 

Studies find rural connectivity benefits people and the economy

Four preliminary studies by BC Stats find high-speed internet expansion in rural, remote and Indigenous communities can positively impact both local and provincial economies.

The Coastal B.C. Connectivity Benefits Study builds on findings from the Interior B.C., Northern B.C. and the Kootenay Connectivity Benefits Studies. The studies estimate that new high-speed internet projects in rural areas — if the province invests in them — can help the region's economy. The impact will be during the short term (during construction) and the long term. The long-term gain comes from better access to high-speed internet, which boosts productivity. Reports are available below:

• NEW: Read the Coastal B.C. Connectivity Benefits Study (PDF, 1.3MB)
• Read the Interior B.C. Connectivity Benefits Study (PDF, 1005KB).
• Read the Northern B.C. Connectivity Benefits Study (PDF, 934KB).
• Read the Kootenay Connectivity Benefits Study (PDF, 573KB).

See the community stories page to learn how increased connectivity can drive growth and opportunities.  

The BC Connectivity Reports

• The B.C. Connectivity Report 2024 (PDF, 1.7 MB) provides an updated overview of the connectivity status in British Columbia compared to other provinces in Canada. 
• The BC Connectivity Report 2022 (PDF, 1.5MB) provides an overview of the connectivity landscape in rural and First Nations communities in B.C. and how the province fares compared to other jurisdictions in Canada.
• The BC Connectivity Report 2019 preceded the 2022 report.

Understanding internet speeds

In 2021, concerns were expressed by communities that they were not getting the internet speeds listed as available on the federal National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map. The Province partnered with UBCM and Northern Development Initiative Trust to research what might be happening with internet speeds in some communities and what the contributing factors to lower speeds might be.

This research is now available on the Understanding internet speeds page.

Are you experiencing slow internet speeds? The Province has partnered with the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). They offer resources to help make the most of your internet speed.

Additional research and reports:

• Canada's Connectivity Strategy
• CRTC Communications Market Report

Legislation and regulation policy

To learn about the roles of governments in telecommunications policy in Canada on our Legislation and Regulation page.