Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available Across Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and part of Prescott-Russell

News Release

August 15, 2014 – Cornwall, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada

Residents in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and part of the United Counties of Prescott-Russell are celebrating the news today that improved high-speed Internet service is now available in their area. The reach and speed of existing wireless and DSL networks have been expanded to provide download speeds of up to 16 Mbps through new fibre optic and wireless connections, with new or improved access points made possible through the Eastern Ontario Regional Network project. In areas that cannot connect with the wireless or wired service, a satellite solution provides connectivity to speeds of up to 10 Mbps.

Thanks to a joint investment from the governments of Canada and Ontario, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Inc., and private sector partners, 29,000 homes and businesses across the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry now have access to the service, enabling the use of the latest web-based applications, and information and entertainment resources. This is one of the many areas across Eastern Ontario to receive improved high-speed Internet access through Ontario's largest rural broadband network project.

The entire project is helping to 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

"In the new global economy, broadband Internet has become essential infrastructure for individual and community economic prosperity. It spurs innovation, commercialization, worldwide communication, and job creation. Our Government is proud to be contributing to a project that now enables one more Eastern Ontario community to have improved internet access."

- Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry, 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

"Strategic investments in broadband infrastructure, like this one in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, give residents and local businesses access to broadband services that are essential to succeed in today's economy. By investing in modern and efficient infrastructure, the Ontario government is focused on ensuring all communities across the province have the tools they need to thrive."

- Grant Crack, Member of Provincial Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell

"These improvements demonstrate how the project has spurred investments in new infrastructure by Internet service providers. We've also recently expanded the project to include new fibre optic connections to business parks across the region, including in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Prescott-Russell, further improving economic opportunities in the area."

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

"The work in the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry zone is yet another example of how EORN has brought together different technologies to improve broadband access to as many residents and businesses as possible. While complex in terms of the number of pieces that had to come together, the result is improved quality of life for the community."

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

"We're pleased to play a key role in the continued expansion of broadband in Eastern Ontario. Building on the fibre backbone we completed in 2012, we are particularly pleased to once again partner with EORN to extend high-speed Internet access to customers in the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Zone."

- Jason St-Pierre, Bell Aliant Regional Manager of Operations, Eastern Ontario

"This is a major breakthrough over a large area that came in on-budget as promised; in no small part because of the planning and vision of our EORN partners. With over 29,000 households in communities like Cardinal, Cornwall, Hawkesbury and St. Isidore now able to receive high-speed internet, everyone will be able to harness the internet's transformative power!"

- Chris Harlond, Ontario Director of Sales, Xplornet Communications Inc.

Associated links

For additional information about the federal Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing infrastructure in your area.
For additional information about the Eastern Ontario Regional Network.
For information on Bell Alliant.
For information on Xplornet.
For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan.
To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult 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
1-877-647-3443

Morten Paulsen
Xplornet Communications
403-453-0062

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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Date modified:: 2014-08-15

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We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available Across Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and part of Prescott-Russell

News Release

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