Mont-Saint-Grégoire, January 24, 2024 – On January 15, the Fédération des Coopératives de câblodistribution et de télécommunication du Québec (FCCTQ) met with the office of Finance Minister Éric Girard to present its recommendations for a connected and accessible Quebec. The recommendations, which were published in the FCCTQ’s pre-budget consultation brief on December 13, are of paramount importance to the Federation’s members, including IHR Télécom.
The four recommendations included in the brief are as follows:
- Give priority to collective telecommunications enterprises (cooperatives and nonprofit organizations) when awarding financial assistance that is specifically intended to serve new areas within the territory where they already operate;
- Enact legislation to standardize wholesale prices for the purchase of bandwidth through interconnection agreements with industry giants;
- Nationalize certain infrastructure (backbone networks, poles, towers, etc.) with the goal of creating neutral connectivity infrastructure that fosters greater competition among all cable and telecommunications companies;
- Establish a fund to finance the modernization of equipment used by public cable television and telecommunications companies.
IHR Telecom supports the FCCTQ’s recommendations, as implementing them will help minimize the growing competition associated with real estate developments—which causes network overlaps that, in turn, fuel the competition undermining the profitability of a nonprofit organization of this size. Furthermore, nationalization will ensure equitable access to infrastructure among the various Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by eliminating the access privileges currently enjoyed by companies that own infrastructure. Finally, the creation of a modernization fund will ensure the maintenance of assets, enabling small and medium-sized telecommunications companies such as IHR Telecom to remain competitive and provide the best possible service to their subscribers. In short, these measures would foster a form of equalization among ISPs, all of whom ultimately work to provide the essential service of high-speed Internet.
A Driver of Regional Economic Development
Since its founding, IHR Télécom has been at the heart of regional economic development. By providing the essential service of high-speed Internet, this nonprofit organization creates more than 100 direct and indirect jobs, and the economic benefits are enormous! The high-speed Internet service provided by IHR in the Haut-Richelieu and Brome-Missisquoi regions revitalizes the local economy and enables the creation of new businesses. This service also helps revitalize municipalities located far from major urban centers, which are seeing their populations grow.
Quotes:
“Connectivity is the thread that runs through our modern society and is now just as important as access to electricity. Neutral telecommunications infrastructure—the true backbone of accessibility—would foster healthy competition in the market. As such, it would guarantee fair and equitable access to essential services, such as electricity, regardless of where Quebecers live. Social economy enterprises are emerging as collective solutions by offering these essential services at a fair cost, for the benefit of a connected society.”
-Mr. Stéphane Arseneau, president of the FCCTQ.
“We support the Federation’s recommendations, as implementing them will allow us to continue our mission of playing a central role in our region’s economic development.”
-Pierre Lapointe, CEO of IHR Telecom, and Guy Bérubé, Chairman of the Board
Highlights:
- IHR Telecom has been in business for more than 15 years;
- Founded in 1997, the FCCTQ’s mission is to promote, defend, and protect the interests of all its members. Its mission also includes supporting them by providing high-quality professional services at a fair price.