Episode #13 - Unlocking the North: Broadband, Barriers, and Blue Sky Thinking. Susan Church, Executive Director of Blue Sky Net

What’s really stopping rural and northern communities from getting connected? In this episode, I speak with Susan Church, Executive Director of Blue Sky Net, for a candid conversation about the stubborn challenges, and creative solutions, shaping broadband in Northern Ontario.

Susan shares stories from her 25-year journey, exposing why national broadband stats are misleading, why “hexagon mapping” leaves whole communities stranded, and what really happens when big telcos hold the keys to critical infrastructure.

We chat about funding failures, data gaps, and the hidden cost of overbuilding. Hear about the innovative local providers, the unfiltered truth behind provincial and federal programs, and the real elephants in the room.

If you want the inside story on Canada’s digital divide, listen in as we pull no punches and ask the questions few others will.

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You can contact Susan Church on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-church-7987a826/

Check out Blue Sky Net and all their resources at https://blueskynet.ca/

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For more information about the Canadian Rural and Remote Broadband Community Conference, please see https://crrbc.ca/eastern-canada-2025

You can find me on LinkedIn or at https://www.verityaptus.ca/

Finally, please remember to follow, like and share from your podcast player of choice!

Thanks for listening!

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Remember to check out the Jason's Industry Insights Newsletter at https://jasonsindustryinsights.com/