Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available Across Eastern Ontario

News Release

November 14, 2014 – Picton, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada

Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), Ontario's largest rural broadband network project, is now complete thanks to funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Inc., and private sector partners.

Spanning 50,000 square kilometres, EORN serves a region of more than one million people and supplies over 90 per cent of homes and businesses with DSL or fixed wireless internet services of 10 Mbps or higher. In areas that cannot connect with wireless or wired service, a satellite solution provides connectivity at these same speeds.

As a result of this project, people across 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 now have access to the latest in web-based computer applications and information and entertainment resources.

Quick facts

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

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to have contributed to a project that has enabled residents and businesses across 15 counties in Eastern Ontario to have access to modern, high-speed internet service. Expanding Canada's broadband network spurs innovation, encourages economic development, and connects families and friends in communities across the country, improving the quality of life for residents across Eastern Ontario. Today we celebrate turning this commitment into reality."

- Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward—Hastings

"Eastern Ontario is on the leading edge of high-speed internet service, with the completion of Ontario's largest rural broadband network project. I'm very pleased that our government has contributed to this project that is giving the residents and businesses the tools they need to thrive. The Ontario government is committed to continue to help build up our infrastructure, create jobs and attract investment across the province."

- Sophie Kiwala, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and the Islands

"Providing broadband access to residents, businesses and First Nations communities is one of the keys to unlocking the enormous economic potential of our region. To meet that goal, our communities came together to develop a shared vision and a plan. Working with the support of the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and in partnership with the private sector, we have made that vision a reality."

- Linda Thompson, 2014 Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Chair

"The Eastern Ontario Regional Network created an exceptional partnership that brought together multiple governments and private sector partners. This hard work has delivered a broadband network that is opening up new markets and opportunities for our economy and improving quality of life for our residents."

- Dave Burton, 2014 Eastern Ontario Regional Network Chair

"We are pleased to have been part of this important project and to be given the opportunity to use our extensive communications and technology expertise, in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus and both levels of government, to expand broadband access in eastern Ontario."

- Jason St-Pierre, Regional Manager, Bell

"Cogeco Cable Canada is proud to have been part of such an exciting project. Given that our customers are at the heart of our business and priorities, we have been pleased to play a role in this partnership for the greater good of the region. We strongly believe that the work done to build this broadband network will help open up new opportunities for the business communities while providing all Eastern Ontario residents with better tools to communicate and connect with their families and friends."

- Johanne Hinse, Vice President, Business Development and Sales, Cogeco Cable Canada

"Nexicom is pleased to have been a part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network initiative to deliver improved broadband to Eastern Ontario. Federal, provincial and municipal support for these initiatives is critical to bridging the urban-rural divide and supporting economic growth and development in rural areas."

- Paul Downs, President, Nexicom

"High speed internet access is more than a luxury; it's a necessary utility in today's ever growing digital landscape. Storm Internet is proud to have been involved in the Eastern Ontario Regional Network project and to have brought out Wireless solutions to hundreds of houses, cottages, and businesses in Lanark County, North Dundas, and the nearby communities. We know the positive impact that reliable internet connections can have on the local economy and are honoured to be able to facilitate that change."

- Avedis Menechian, CEO, Storm Internet Services

"This partnership with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, to build fibre optic infrastructure through local business parks, makes Kingston and Eastern Ontario more competitive in the digital economy. Utilities Kingston is now able to provide every business in the parks with faster fibre installations at lower costs, so they may connect to the Internet at speeds up to 10 Gbps."

- Jim Keech, President and CEO, Utilities Kingston

"It is difficult to overstate the importance of this project, and the effort that went into making it a reality. Ninety-nine per cent of households across rural Eastern Ontario can now access the transformative benefits of high-speed internet. The world has, in a very real sense, been opened up for them. And Eastern Ontario Regional Network has shown that public-private partnerships with visionary leaders, political will and a strong business model can make big things happen quickly, and on budget. Xplornet takes deep pride in having been part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network project."

- Chris Harlond, Ontario Director of Sales, Xplornet Communications

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 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 Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Ontario
416-326-3069

Lisa Severson
Eastern Ontario Regional Network
613-213-8520

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

Search for related information by keyword

Infrastructure Canada Information and Communications Government and Politics Economics and Industry Economic Action Plan

Page details

2016-12-14

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

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

Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available Across Eastern Ontario

News Release

Page details