Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available In the Thousand Islands

News Release

November 7, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada

Residents across the Thousand Islands are celebrating the news today that improved access to high-speed Internet is now available in their area. The reach and speed of existing wireless networks have been expanded to provide download speeds of up to 10 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 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, 33,000 homes and businesses now have access to the service, enabling the use of the latest web-based applications, and information and entertainment resources. The Thousand Island region 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, an area 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

"Our Government is pleased to be contributing to a project that now enables even more Eastern Ontario communities to have improved internet access. This important service enables residents, businesses and institutions to access information, services and opportunities while also helping to create jobs and economic growth here in Eastern Ontario."

- 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

"This project is a source of pride as high-speed internet service access is giving residents and businesses in Eastern Ontario the tools they need to thrive. We are pleased to have contributed to this project, a wise investment that is expanding connectivity in the region. By making strategic investments like this, our government is building up our infrastructure in rural communities, and helping to grow local economies, create jobs and attract investment."

- Sophie Kiwala, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Island

"Communities in the Thousand Islands have long connected to the world through the St. Lawrence River. Now, they can connect to markets abroad digitally through improved broadband access. We've also expanded the project to include new fibre optic connections to business parks and key commercial areas, which will create added opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive."

- Linda Thompson, Vice Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Inc.

"We are pleased to have improved broadband services to the Thousands Islands through more than 15 upgraded wireless sites and a dozen newly built wireless locations. Through this build, the Thousand Islands is more connected to the world than ever before."

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

"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 33,000 homes and businesses stretching from rural Kingston to Prescott now able to access competitively priced 10 Mbps 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 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 Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Ontario
416-326-3069

Lisa Severson
Eastern Ontario Regional Network
613-213-8520

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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2016-12-14

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Improved High-Speed Internet Now Available In the Thousand Islands

News Release

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