Communications

British Columbia is a well-connected province. Television and radio stations connect our communities to the rest of the province, the country and the world. There are national and provincial newspapers available, and many communities publish local newspapers. Telephone and cell phone access is available throughout B.C.

Media in Many Languages

Our province has many cultures and the media here reflects this with almost 150 ethnic media outlets. Current news and programming is shared in many languages on television and radio, in print and through cable/satellite access.

The Media Directory can help you find an ethnic media outlet in British Columbia.

English Language Television and Radio

Many British Columbians turn to television and radio for the news. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is a publicly-owned television and radio network that is available across the country and online. CTV and Global are also national television networks with stations in B.C., and the publicly-owned television station, Knowledge, is a great source for stories about British Columbia’s history and geography.

For links to English-language television and radio stations across the province, visit britishcolumbia.com. Also, many radio stations have live Internet streaming, so you can listen from anywhere with an Internet connection.

English Language Newspapers

The Globe and Mail and the National Post are daily national newspapers, but they also include lots of regional information. Most cities and smaller communities in British Columbia have their own newspapers.

Telephones and Cellular Phones

Telephones that are connected to a "landline" are available across British Columbia. These telephones are not mobile. Telus provides landline service across B.C., and Shaw offers digital telephone service in Vancouver and Victoria.

Cellular (or mobile) phones are popular across B.C. Except for some very remote areas, the entire province has network coverage, but the coverage varies by provider. For information about coverage and other things to consider before you get a cellular phone, visit this website.

Internet

Ninety-one per cent of British Columbians live in communities that can access the Internet, making B.C. one of the most connected jurisdictions in Canada and in the world. If you come to B.C., this is a convenient way to keep in touch with the friends and family you may have left behind.

If you don’t have a computer, you can go to any public library in British Columbia for free Internet access, or you can visit an Internet café and pay a fee to access the Internet while you enjoy a beverage.

For more information about Internet access in British Columbia, including a map of communities with high-speed access, visit the Network BC website

Rural Communities

Most Internet users live in main cities or areas of high population. The B.C. Government is trying to increase access to the Internet for people in remote or rural communities. Increasing connectivity in these areas is important for improving health care, education and economic opportunities for these residents.

NetworkBC, created in 2005, provides a central role in coordinating federal, provincial and private sector knowledge and expertise in telecommunications.

Many of B.C.’s rural and remote communities are home to aboriginal or native people. NetworkBC’s goal is to connect all 203 of B.C.’s First Nations as part of a shared vision to improve quality of life in these regions. NetworkBC’s "Bridging the Digital Divide" initiative aims to work with communities, government and non-government organizations and the telecommunications sector to improve connectivity in 366 communities throughout British Columbia. The National Satellite Initiative has provided NetworkBC with reduced rates on commercial satellite service. For very remote communities, satellite is the only way to access the Internet.

B.C.’s Connecting Citizens Grant Program was launched in September 2008 to help homes and businesses connect more easily to the Internet. Round One was completed in March 2008 resulting in funding to 67 Internet projects in nearly 100 different locations.

The Province has also increased connectivity through its Connecting Communities Agreement. This agreement, signed between the Province and TELUS, reduces costs for Internet service providers, allowing them to expand coverage for users.