"Affordable Internet Solutions for Families: Connecting Without Breaking the Bank"

Presented byPlanHub.ca

Updated as of May 13, 2022

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The Connecting Families program was initially introduced in 2018, by the federal government to make internet access more accessible to low-income families. Recently, the program was amended to provide maximum 50 Mbps at a monthly cost of $20. Low-income families and seniors can now utilize the revised offer, which also entails a maximum usage of 200 GB per month. Households with unavailable 50 Mbps speed will receive the highest speed available in their area. Those who still qualify for the prior $10 per month offer but cannot afford the higher speeds can still benefit under this program.

The importance of Internet for low-income families:

The Connecting Families program aims to follow Canada's Connectivity Strategy, an initiative aimed at making high-speed internet affordable for all Canadian citizens. The overall purpose is to reduce the digital divide present in society by ensuring internet access in all areas, including work, residential, and transportation corridors. Low-income families bear the brunt of high internet package prices, which hinders their daily communication and task execution. This package offer will be helpful to low-income seniors who need access to everyday essential services.

The government plans to connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026 and all Canadians to high-speed internet by 2030.

Connecting Families Telus and others:

The Canadian program has now garnered over 75,000 participating families. A variety of providers are presently involved in the initiative to enhance internet accessibility for low-income households. These include Access Communications, Bell Canada, CCAP, Cogeco, Mornington, Novus, Rogers, Sasktel, Shaw, Tbaytel, Telus, Videotron, Wetman Communications, and Hay Communications. To gain further insight into their values, check out the following relevant links: Connecting Families Novus, Connecting Families Rogers, Connecting Families Telus, and Connecting Families Videotron.

It is worth noting that the Canadian government does not provide funding for this project, as the participating providers cover all costs associated with the low-cost packages.

Cost Comparison:

The cost of internet packages varies depending on the province and city, but in general, the cheapest deals range from $26 to $36 a month and deliver a maximum download speed of 5 Mbps. With this program, however, families and seniors experiencing financial difficulties can obtain better-performing packages for only $20 per month. Plus, these beneficiaries do not need to pay for any equipment.

Internet speed according to your needs:

As each household's needs differ according to several factors, we encourage you to consult our article on What Internet Speed Do I Need in 2022? and make use of our tool for a rough estimate. In general, a speed of 3 Mbps is enough for emailing purposes only. However, a minimum speed of 10 Mbps is recommended for those whose work requires video conferencing in this day and age. Finally, households with multiple people working at home should strive for a minimum recommended speed of 25 Mbps, which will comfortably accommodate the streaming of HD shows for groups of two to three.

Do you qualify?

The government has established a portal for eligible individuals, who will receive a postal letter with a unique code to access its benefits. Individuals who satisfy all of the criteria outlined are now eligible for potential access.

Some recurring questions:

Who has access to Connected Families?

The program exclusively caters to individuals who receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and seniors receiving the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The stringent criteria exist because the number of available plans isn't infinite; the program is incompatible with additional households beyond the 220,000 permitted for the entire country.

Is the $10 promotion still active?

Absolutely, households that meet the eligibility criteria can still avail the original $10 per month plan. This plan provides a lower speed network and comes with a cap limit of 100GB.

Can I submit an application for the program?

No, regrettably, families who have not received an invitation letter do not qualify for the program. A limited number of codes are sent out, and no application process is available. Nevertheless, recipients will be reassessed each year, possibly providing an opportunity for new candidates if any existing recipient no longer meets the qualifications.

Can I get a replacement code?

If you lose your code, unfortunately, there is no way to obtain a replacement code. It is strongly advised by the government that recipients take a picture of the letter upon receiving it.

What is the duration of this promotion?

At present, the program will only last until 2027. However, the government and providers may opt to elongate the program if it retains its relevance.

Can I switch service providers?

No, except in the event of a location change, switching providers is not allowed if the current provider offers service in the new area, which is frequently the case for individuals relocating to remote areas.

Conclusion

The Families Connected initiative promotes the Canadian government's objective of achieving a universal network and is certainly a positive step in the right direction. Nevertheless, only families receiving the maximum amount of government aid qualify for this affordable plan, leaving thousands of low-income families without access to it. The aggressiveness of the government's investments will determine whether or not it will achieve its goals.