Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available In Ottawa Valley South

News Release

April 22, 2014 – Kemptville, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada

Residents and businesses in Ottawa Valley South are celebrating the news today that improved access to wireless high-speed Internet service is now available in their area. The reach and speed of existing wireless and DSL networks have been expanded to reach more households and provide download speeds of at least 10 megabits per second through a new fibre optic cable network, with new or improved access points made possible through the Eastern Ontario Regional Network project.

Thanks to a joint investment from Canada, Ontario, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Inc., and private sector partners, 40,000 homes and businesses have improved Internet access across the area, which includes parts of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Lanark County. The improved services will enable the use of the latest web-based applications, information and entertainment resources. This is one of 15 areas across Eastern Ontario to receive high-speed Internet access through Ontario's largest rural broadband network project.

Once the entire project is complete, it will improve high-speed access throughout the nearly 50,000 square kilometres of Eastern Ontario, a region encompassing the counties of Hastings, Peterborough, Renfrew, Northumberland, Haliburton, Frontenac, Lanark, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $55 million through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.
The Government of Ontario is contributing up to $55 million through the Broadband Infrastructure Fund.
The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Inc. and private sector partners will contribute the remaining funding of the total project cost of $170 million.

Quotes

"High-Speed Internet drives innovation and is the backbone of a modern economy. Our Government is proud to be part of a project that enables residents, businesses and institutions to access information, services and opportunities that could otherwise be out of reach. And that, ultimately, spurs innovation, encourages economic development and improves the quality of life in the Ottawa Valley."

- Gordon Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds—Grenville, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"A strong, prosperous rural Ontario requires modern and efficient infrastructure. Through the Broadband Infrastructure Fund, the Ontario government is making critical infrastructure investments that will improve high-speed Internet access in Eastern Ontario and help increase productivity for local business and residents. Investing in modern infrastructure is part of Ontario’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. This comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario's greatest strengths — its people and strategic partnerships."

- Grant Crack, Member of Provincial Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Minister of Rural Affairs and to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs

"Completing the Ottawa Valley South network brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of providing higher Internet speeds and bandwidth to at least 95 per cent of homes in Eastern Ontario. We've also recently expanded the project to include new fibre optic connections to business parks across Eastern Ontario, which continues to create added opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive in our communities."

- Jean Paul St. Pierre, Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Inc. (EOWC)

"With the support of our private sector partners, we've been able to expand the reach of wireless and DSL technology in the Ottawa Valley South area, helping improve quality of life and economic opportunity. EORN is pleased to be in the final stretch of completing local networks across the region."

- David Burton, Chair of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN)

"Bell Aliant is pleased to once again collaborate with EORN and our government partners to deliver high-speed Internet in the Ottawa Valley South Zone. We are particularly pleased to provide broadband technology with access speeds up to 16Mbps."

- Peter Dilworth, VP Finance and Chief Procurement Officer, Bell Aliant

"Storm Internet is very excited to be back in the area with the opportunity to deliver our high-speed services to more residents and businesses. Working in partnership with EORN has been a wonderful experience and we couldn't be happier to be involved in these communities within the Ottawa Valley once again."

- Jonathan Black, Chief Financial Officer, Storm Internet

Associated links

Additional information about the federal Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.
More information on how Ontario is revitalizing infrastructure in your area.
Additional information about the Eastern Ontario Regional Network.
Additional information on the New Building Canada Plan.
Learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy by consulting Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Contacts

Vincent Rabault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838

Bryan Bossin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Affairs of Ontario
416-326-3072

Lisa Severson
Eastern Ontario Regional Network
613-213-8520

Norma Hughes
Bell Aliant
877-647-3443

Michelle Katz
Storm Internet
613-567-6585, ext. 239

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

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2016-12-14

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Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available In Ottawa Valley South

News Release

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