Models and Implications for
Community-​led Connectivity in Rural British Columbia
BACKGROUND
Rural communities and scholars are faced with:
Limited research into community broadband
models

OBJECTIVE: to identify, understand, and evaluate models of community connectivity in rural BC

1

INITIAL PROTOTYPE MODELS OF COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY
Based on the literature review three prototype models were identified for exploration.

START

No clear typology of rural models or framework
for evaluating these initiatives

- Understand
evaluation
process.
- Review metrics

Limited understanding of what enables models to
be successful, or to help communities to
understand appropriate models to use

METHODS
To accomplish the objective, the following
activities were undertaken:

2

EVALUATION
PROCESS
OVERVIEW

3

The project team developed an evaluation process
that could be used to explore and better
community-​led connectivity initiatives.
DATA COLLECTION
- SECONDARY:
collect relevant
existing
documentation
- Primary:
Identify needed
data and
appropriate
colleciton
approach

EVALUATION The evaluation process was applied to two rural BC case studies. Of the
RESULTS
data analyzed, several metrics stood out.

Kaslo infoNet

ANALYSIS
- Follow metrics
analysis
instruction

REPORTING
- Determine reporting
needs and present
results as needed

City West

Preliminary development of a typology of
rural connectivity models: A literature review
was used to identify existing approaches to
connecting rural communities.

Leadership: KiN’s social capital and leadership is a large contributing factor to their
success.

Experience: Since its inception, City West has had over 100 years of experience.

Partnerships: KiN's partnerships with the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation
(CBBC) and the Village of Kaslo has been critical for accessing infrastructure and
supporting grant applications.

Expertise: City West possesses the technical expertise required to manage broadband solutions as
well as to design and implement infrastructure essential for connectivity.

Case study inventory: An inventory was
developed through a broad scan of rural
connectivity initiatives focused on rural BC.

Funding: KiN has received multiple funding opportunities from municipal, provincial,
and federal sources. Consistent and generous funding has allowed KiN to establish
itself and the expansive network that services the North Kootenay Lake communities.

Funding & Access to Capital: Funding through grants issued by Provincial and Federal
governments play an important role in providing City West with the necessary funds to conduct its
operations in the communities it serves.

Community Focus: Throughout KiN’s history, the non-​profit organization has
maintained its community focus by dedicating itself fully to the community and
evolving to fulfill the community’s needs at the given time.

Relationships: Building long term relationships with their customers has enabled City West to be
successful. City West’s mandate is to serve the public. They are focused on solving community needs
and people’s problems rather than solely on making profits.

A transferable evaluation framework: A
framework was developed for qualitative and
quantitative analysis of the characteristics of
community-​led rural connectivity initiatives.
Select case study evaluation: The project team
identified two case studies for further investigation
(City West and Kaslo infoNet Society) and applied
both the typology and the evaluation framework to
these cases.
Refine typology of rural connectivity
models: Based on the results of the above, the
preliminary rural connectivity models were
refined based on lessons learned.

4

MODEL REFINEMENT:
The team identified
that the private market
delivery approach is
NOT the only option
for connecting
Canadians and in fact,
five models and
approaches were
identified

MODEL 1
Working within the
Status Quo

MODEL 2
Aggregate Demand &
Procurement

MODEL 3
Social Enterprise/
Community Network

MODEL 4
Local or Regional
Utility

MODEL 5
Nationalization

Where the lead actor is
private sector and
profit driven predominantly large
telcos.
The role for local gov is
primarily advocacy.

Where the local
government plays a
role through creating
economies of scale
and influencing
market through
collaboration.

A private enterprise
where local
government may be a
partner. ROI is
through a community
determined model
with social focus.

Where local
government plays the
lead role in network
ownership and
operation.

Where the federal
government plays the
lead role in network
ownership and
operation.

Kelly, W., Breen, S., & Weeden, A.
Northern Directions, Nov 16-18, 2022,
North Bay, ON,
Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation
& Northern Policy Institute

IMPLICATIONS
Rural communities within an unchanged
Canadian telecommunications landscape
are likely to face one of three possible
scenarios:
FAILURE TO LAUNCH: Many
community connectivity projects have
not been initiated or have fizzled out
due to lack of local expertise, lack of
funding, lack of capacity, lack of
support, or another gap in the key
characteristics essential to success.

CORPORATE CAPTURE: Large-​scale
corporate capture of Canada’s digital
infrastructure and service delivery is an
impediment to policy change and
efforts to closing connectivity gaps.

SISYPHUS' NETWORK: It takes
immense effort and capital to
participate in the connectivity space
and this work takes place in a broader
policy environment that
simultaneously celebrates the
resilience of community networks
while underfunding their work and
reinforcing the primacy of marketdetermined service delivery.
To read the project reports visit:
https://sc.arcabc.ca/innovates_digital_readiness”

Project funding was provided
by City West &