Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available in Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County

News Release

August 21, 2014 – Peterborough, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada

Residents in the regions of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County are celebrating the news today that improved high-speed Internet 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 15 Mbps through a new fibre optic cable network and 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, over 70,800 homes and businesses in these areas now have access to the latest web-based applications, and information and entertainment resources. The region of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County are two of the many areas across Eastern Ontario to receive improved high-speed Internet service through Ontario's largest rural broadband network project.

The entire project is helping to improve high-speed Internet 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. Access to this service broadens the range of opportunities in many developing sectors. Our Government proud to be contributing to the development of improved Internet access, which is helping to create jobs and economic growth here in Eastern Ontario, and connecting families and friends in communities across the country."

- 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

"Supporting vibrant rural communities and regions is part of the Ontario government's plan to help grow local economies, create jobs and attract investment. We are pleased to have contributed to this project that will bring high-speed internet to the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County. By doing so, our government is ensuring that families and businesses across the province have the tools they need to thrive."

- Lou Rinaldi, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland—Quinte West

"Improving broadband access is one of the keys to unlocking the enormous economic potential of our region. The Kawartha zone was a key piece to reaching our goal of expanding broadband service to 95 per cent of rural Eastern Ontario."

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

"We are so pleased to launch new improved internet access in this area. Each company provides a solution that complements the other, showing how EORN was able to bring together a number of different internet service providers and technologies to expand broadband access to as many people as possible."

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

"Bell Aliant is proud to partner with the Federal and Provincial governments and EOWC to bring broadband technology to the residents of Peterborough County. We are pleased to offer residents in the Kawartha Zone high-speed Internet access with speeds up to 15 Mbps."

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

"This is a major breakthrough over a large and diverse area that came in on-budget as promised; in no small part because of the planning and vision of our EORN partners. Xplornet, together with other providers, has ensured that the region stretching across portions of the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County now have access to high-speed internet of up to 10 Mbps. Everyone will be able to harness the internet's transformative power!"

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

"Nexicom Inc. is pleased to be part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) project, which is supporting economic development in rural and remote communities in Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County. Just as the railway connected Canadians a hundred years ago, similarly this initiative permits businesses and residents in Eastern Ontario to connect with each other, and with others around the world. It has been a pleasure working with the Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus (EOWC) in rolling out these projects."

- Paul Downs, Owner and President, Nexicom

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 information on Nexicom
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
877-647-3443

Morten Paulsen
Xplornet Communications
403-453-0062

Julie Howe
Nexicom
705-932-4129

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 Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County

News Release

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