[Satellite TODAY 09-03-09] Industry Canada has issued a call-for-applications for the “Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians” initiative launched by the government July 30, Industry Canada announced Sept. 2.
    The program will evaluate applications against a series of criteria with emphasis on best value and most households served. Applications also must show capacity to deliver within the timeframe and demonstrate a viable business model, Industry Canada announced.
    Successful applicants will receive federal support valued at up to 50 percent of their one-time costs, including the purchase, adaptation or upgrade of equipment, hardware or software; long-term investments in network capacity (such as the lease of satellite transponder capacity); network deployment costs; and other costs directly related to extending broadband infrastructure.
    The deadline for applications is Oct. 23. Winners will be announced in late 2009 or early 2010, with project builds starting as soon as possible in 2010.