CRTC launches public consultation to close cellphone coverage gaps

UNSPLASH PHOTO

Canada is opening the conversation on cellphone coverage gaps, launching a public consultation aimed at tackling dead zones along highways and in rural and remote communities. On Jan. 15, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) invited Canadians to provide feedback on how mobile service data is collected, reported and used to guide infrastructure investments.

“This will help service providers, governments, public safety organizations and Canadians better identify where coverage is strong and where improvements are needed,” the CRTC said in a news release.

The move comes after years of warnings about unreliable mobile service. Several provinces – including Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario – have also conducted their own assessments, citing discrepancies between federal coverage maps and on-the-ground experience.

Current CRTC data indicates that roughly 15,000 kilometres of major roads – about 13.4 per cent – lack mobile service. However, the lived experiences of many Canadians presented in public opinion research studies and complaints submitted to the CRTC, indicate that there are more coverage gaps than service providers report. The consultation incorporates technical recommendations from Britain-based consultancy FarrPoint, which aim to align reported coverage with Canadians’ real-world experiences.

In addition to mapping improvements, the CRTC is making service information more accessible. Canadians will soon have detailed data on local providers, available technologies and service speeds, making it easier to compare options and plan for better connectivity. This information will feed into the National Broadband Map maintained by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

The public consultation runs until March 16, 2026. Submissions can be made online, by mail, or by fax, and will be included in the public record. The CRTC will use the feedback to finalize a mobile reporting standard that shapes future policy, public safety planning, and infrastructure investment decisions.