Telecommunications and the introduction of broadband Internet may make communities more connected, but it can also fundamentally change the way communities function.

That's the opinion of Kim Martinsen, a representative with Community Economic Development Services of British Columbia.

Martinsen was among several representatives from across Canada in Whitehorse recently as part the federal government's telecommunications policy review panel.

The panel is exploring how to continue to foster an environment in Canada that encourages the availability of broadband access and also how to keep the existing framework up-to-date as the technology continues to advance.

But broadband Internet, like other communications technology such as the telephone, can sometimes encourage isolated communities to move away from communicating in person, Martinsen told the Star in an interview.

'When you start putting communication tools in the home, they don't have to do that anymore,' she said.

'They pick up the phone or they go on the Internet or whatever. Now is that better or is that worse? It certainly changes human interaction.'

The availability of the Internet in smaller communities can also present other challenges such a jobs being out-sourced to other jurisdictions, online gambling addictions and pornography, said Phillip Djwa, manager of the British Columbia Community Connective Co-operative.

The government often doesn't want to hear the social issues attached to the introduction of broadband into Canada's smaller and more isolated communities, said Martinsen, but added it doesn't make them any less important.

However, Matt Wenger, vice-president of American-based Packet Front, said that just providing broadband to communities is a social issue.

'Broadband is not just a simple cut and dry business tool,' he said. 'It's a social justice issue, it's an equity issue, it's an issue that goes beyond just the treasury board saying What's the business case for that?'

'It's an issue that says, No, this is important for social and economic reasons.''

It is often the people in rural areas who need Internet access the most, said Wenger.

Allan MacGillivray, executive director secretariat for the review panel, agreed.

'People in rural areas are more often dependent on the Internet, because they don't have the same (service) options (as urban areas),' he said.

The Yukon is one of the most connected jurisdictions in Canada.

Broadband Internet service is currently available to 99 per cent of Yukoners, with a usage rate at about 50 per cent, said Terry Hayden, assistant deputy minister for the Department of Economic Development.

Internet use in isolated communities and first nations communities can provide economic development, an increase of productivity and e-learning opportunities, said Djwa.

'Just because they are located where they are, does not mean they shouldn't have access to the same kinds of quality of services,' agreed Bob Hersche, director of strategic business development for SaskTel.

'They should be allowed to participate in the whole economic and social union of Canada, in the same way as someone who lives a more populous area of Canada,' he said.

Broadband Internet access has become an equality issue and an essential service, like health care, water, roads and sewers, he added.

With four million people in Canada not having access to broadband Internet services, the Yukon is well above the national average, said Hayden, however, the territory now has other challenges to deal with.

The use of broadband is so high in the Yukon, with one of every two homes utilizing the service, the territory is now looking at how to increase the capacity of the network and how to bring down the costs.

A market-drive model for the services doesn't work in the North, because there are not enough users to provide the mass to create a business case that encourages companies to expand into the territories, he said.

So the department is now looking at options on the hope that there may be ways to get industry to come north and provide the service, he said.

Though the Yukon is connected, it does have a way to go to ensure the quality and the affordability of the service is in line with the rest of Canada, he said.