The Keystone Agricultural Producers conducted a survey about mobile phone and internet coverage.
Almost two-thirds of the Manitobans who responded expressed dissatisfaction with their connectivity.
This report was released at a time when social distancing protocols are causing the vast majority of Manitobans to be increasingly reliant on both networks.
In a press release, Jill Verwey, KAP vice president and chair of the rural policy committee says farm operations require strong internet and cell coverage to conduct business and ensure that food continues to make its way to market.
“We have heard deep-seated frustration from both farm families and non-farmers about the state of connectivity in rural Manitoba, and providers cannot continue to ask us to pay for a service that is subpar at best.”
Connectivity complaints stated in the survey include being unhappy with the inability to be in touch in emergency situations and with farm employees, a hindered ability to fully participate in business operations, or incurring additional costs to add a booster that works sporadically. There are also broad impacts for education, with respondents noting that they are unable to conduct schoolwork, access course materials, or participate in distance learning like webinars.
Verwey adds, “The best time to fix these gaps was 5 years ago, the second-best time is now.”
In the survey, residents were asked what their level of satisfaction is with internet and mobile service. Less than a hundred people say they are very satisfied, in both categories, while 62.9% of respondents reported being either somewhat or very dissatisfied with their internet service, and 64.6% reported being either somewhat or very dissatisfied with their mobile phone service.
Next, respondents were asked to share how often they experience disruptions with their service. Just over 50% of respondents reported experiencing internet service disruptions at least daily, if not multiple times daily, whereas 66.5% of respondents indicated they experience mobile phone service disruptions at least once a day, if not multiple times daily.
Xplornet and BellMTS are the two most popular internet services combining for 81.5 per cent, while BellMTS and Rogers are the two most popular mobile phone services combining for 76.6 per cent.
1,557 Manitobans representing 113 municipalities took the survey and respondents came from all parts of the province.
A full report will be shared with both the federal and provincial governments, as well as major service providers, later this year.
