CIRA and National Capital FreeNet team up to bring free and secure internet to low-income communities in Ottawa

Press Release

Ottawa, ON – January 18, 2024 – As more Canadians struggle with the rising costs of internet access and other essentials, CIRA joins forces with National Capital FreeNet, an Ottawa-based not-for-profit internet provider, to help tackle affordable urban connectivity.

As part of its Net Good initiative, CIRA is proud to announce a $250,000 two-year investment to support National Capital FreeNet’s Community WiFi Network pilot project helping those living in low-income communities in Ottawa bridge the digital divide by offering free WiFi and digital skills support.

This five-year initiative will focus on neighbourhoods within Vanier, Overbrook and Sandy Hill that experience some of the highest levels of social and economic inequities in the city. Residents in these neighbourhoods are more likely to struggle to afford the high costs of internet connectivity and could benefit from hands-on support to improve their digital know-how.

Delivered in partnership with Ottawa Community Housing and Hiboo Networks, the Community WiFi Network pilot project will launch in the Fall of 2024 in common spaces at 251 and 255 Donald Street, two Ottawa Community Housing buildings based in Vanier. The network will deliver free, secure, fast and high-quality WiFi in indoor and outdoor community spaces where residents live, socialize and access social services.

In addition to supporting the initiative financially, CIRA will also deploy its DNS Firewall and Internet Performance Test services as well as support network security for the project. Ottawa Community Housing—the largest social, community and affordable housing provider in the city—will be providing access to their facilities for implementation, supporting the technical and community delivery. Finally, Hiboo Networks, Ottawa-Gatineau’s first municipally owned fibre optic-based telecom provider, will provide 18 months of free 1Gbps fibre backhaul connectivity.

The Community Wifi Network pilot provides a unique opportunity to share lessons learned with similar projects nationwide. This new funding initiative complements CIRA’s annual Net Good Grants program which provides millions of dollars in funding to community-led projects that address digital challenges in rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Canada. The next CIRA grants call will open on March 1, 2024 for organizations across the country that are delivering community internet access, improving online safety and engaging in internet policy work.

Executive quotes

“This is an amazing opportunity to pilot a truly community-led WiFi network in Ottawa. This project will make it easier for residents, especially those most affected by the high prices of home internet and cellphone data, to get online for free while out in their neighbourhoods and accessing community services. We believe this will help individuals, while also building the community’s digital resilience.”

Shelley Robinson, Executive Director, National Capital FreeNet

Additional information

• Learn more about the Community WiFi Network pilot project
• For more information about CIRA’s commitment to building a trusted internet for Canadians, visit www.cira.ca/en/net-good/. And to see how
• CIRA Grants are empowering communities, head to: https://www.cira.ca/en/grants/

Media contacts
Delphine Avomo Evouna
CIRA
delphine.avomoevouna@cira.ca
613 315-1458

Shelley Robinson
National Capital FreeNet
execdir@ncf.ca
613-721-1773 ext. 1001

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