Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm going to ask a couple of questions, and then I'm going to hand it over to my colleague.
Mr. Robinson, in your opening remarks, it was very impressive in terms of the technology that's moving forward, especially the stuff that's coming from telecom. I think we all have to tip our hat at the innovation that's coming forward, with swiping and all of the stuff that's going on with telecom.
But as an individual who lives in northern Ontario and who drives from Ottawa to Sudbury, I hit Deep River and I hope I don't run out of gas or have a problem between Deep River and Mattawa, because there's absolutely no cell service. It doesn't matter which network you're with. Many times I'm on the hood of my car, holding up my cell, hoping to connect with my wife.
What are the plans in terms of making sure those who live in northern or rural communities will have access to the same type of services as those in the big cities?
Now, Sudbury is fantastic. I can't complain about the service in Sudbury. But if you go 20 minutes outside of the city, you're doing dial-up.
We know that wireless is the way that folks are going. We heard from some of the satellite providers that 15% in rural and northern communities don't have access. From CWTA, we heard 1%.
What are the plans to ensure that those who live in rural and northern communities are part of this new wave?