Apply for funding: Step 3. Check your geographic eligibility

3. Check your geographic eligibility

To be eligible for funding under Call 4 of the Broadband Fund, your project must serve an eligible geographic area, which includes all underserved households in Canada that do not currently have access to fixed broadband internet access speeds of at least 50/10 Mbps. These are represented by road segments, or satellite-dependent communities.

Satellite-dependent communities are communities that rely on satellite transport capacity for one or more telecommunications services (for example, voice, wireless [both fixed and mobile], and Internet services). This includes communities that receive universal service objective-level services via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

There are eligible geographic areas that have existing broadband funding for high-speed Internet service or terrestrial transport infrastructure. These areas may become ineligible over time as the funded projects are built. The CRTC will give preference to projects that do not target geographic areas that are already forecasted to receive services that will meet the universal service objective through other public funding programs.

Use the tools below to check your geographic eligibility and to create maps related to your projects.

Call 4 Reference Map

This map offers a view of areas that are eligible for funding.

The map identifies eligible:

• Road segments
• Road segments that are funded for high-speed broadband Internet service
• Satellite-dependent communities
• Satellite-dependent communities that are funded for terrestrial transport infrastructure

It also identifies:

• communities, including Official Language Minority Communities
• census subdivisions

See Important notes on the eligibility data.

Call 4 Reference Map

Eligibility Mapping Tool

Applicants must use the Eligibility Mapping Tool to create their maps as required in their application for funding. This tool was created by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada and identifies:

• Broadband-eligible areas: geographic areas that currently lack high-speed broadband service and funding for such service.
• Broadband-ineligible areas: geographic areas that already have high-speed broadband service or funding for such service.
• Satellite-dependent: communities that rely on satellite transport capacity for one or more telecommunications services (such as voice, and fixed wireless and Internet services).

Applying the additional filter for funded areas to CRTC’s geographic eligibility assists applicants in submitting successful applications that fully consider funding and efficient use of funds prior to applying.

The tool can be used to:

• see existing broadband coverage and funding across Canada
• create coverage shapes, sites, and routes for your project
• download completed maps
• review feedback from the tool to see whether the drawn project area serves eligible underserved households, or if it has existing broadband funding that could make it ineligible once the funded project is completed

Eligibility Mapping Tool

For detailed instructions on how to use the reference map and the eligibility mapping tool, consult the Mapping Guide.

Important notes on the eligibility data

The broadband service coverage information displayed on the reference map and eligibility mapping tool has been collected by the CRTC through consultation with wireless and Internet service providers and other federal partners.

The geographic eligibility data provided in the Call 4 Reference Map and the Eligibility Mapping Tool are for reference purposes only. Upgrades to broadband services or network facilities are ongoing and the tools will not be updated after the launch of Call 4. Therefore, this eligibility data may not be current or accurate.

You should therefore rely on your experience in the geographic area and conduct your own due diligence by researching available broadband services and/or network facilities, and engage with relevant service providers and communities to ensure that the geographic areas you propose to serve are eligible under the Broadband Fund.

Useful resources

• Call 4 Notice of Consultation
• Call 4 Application Guide
• Call 4 Technical and Program Guide
• Call 4 Mapping Guide
• Call 4 Reference Map
• Eligibility Mapping Tool
• Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System (ATRIS)
• Online Intake System

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Date modified:

2026-04-09