Ontario Construction News staff writer
Thousands of homes and business across Lambton County will see a boost in internet connective courtesy of $6.5 million in federal and provincial funding, and the efforts of a non-profit corporation.
The Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non-profit regional broadband project launched by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to subsidize the construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region. It has signed agreements with Execulink Telecom Inc. (Execulink Telecom) and Cogeco Connexions Inc. to support four large-scale fibre projects to deliver faster internet speeds in Lambton Shores, the Town of Plympton-Wyoming, St. Clair Township, and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
The broadband infrastructure projects are collectively valued at about $11.4 million. The contracts awarded will expand high-speed fibre-optic broadband services across 17 communities in Lambton County.
“In today’s digital age, internet connectivity is essential to the economic stability of our region. With connectivity comes opportunities. Increased access to online services and resources enable our rural communities to continue to grow and thrive,” says David Mayberry, chair of the SWIFT board.
“That is why we are pleased to announce that many more residents within the county and First Nation will soon have access to reliable and affordable broadband services.”
In addition to the $6.5 million in provincial and federal funding, the service providers are contributing $4.9 million, bringing the total investment to $11.4 million.
“The advancement of these projects will have a very positive impact all across Lambton County,” says Bill Weber, Lambton County Warden and member of the SWIFT board Member. “We are pleased to be a part of the initial projects, and the increased access to high-speed broadband services in Lambton County will benefit many of our residents and businesses in the near future.”
Execulink Telecom will receive funding for two projects to deploy fibre along more than 127 kilometres of underserved roads in Lambton Shores and Plympton-Wyoming, including the communities of Ravenswood, Gustin Grove, Cedar Point, Glendale Beach, Hillsborough Beach and Highland Glen, as well as in Springvale, Jericho, Jura, providing service to much of the rural portion of former Bosanquet Township.
It’s expected that it will cost about $3.8 million to install the infrastructure needed to service more than 1,190 homes, businesses and buildings of public interest within the communities. The work is supposed to be done by end of 2021.
Execulink Telecom has also been awarded funding for a community-wide fibre project in Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, with a projected cost of about $2.7 million. The service provider will be required to install fibre-optic lines along 35 kilometres of road to deliver a fibre-to-the-home solution.
Some areas in the community still depend on dial-up connectivity. The network is expected to be operational by the end of 2020, with direct fibre connections available to about 900 homes and businesses within the First Nation, as well as to nearly 130 homes and businesses in the area.
“We welcome the introduction of fibre optic infrastructure, which will bring high-speed internet to our community,” says Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point Chief Jason Henry. “This investment is a game-changer for our community that will open the door to economic and educational opportunities widely available elsewhere and improve quality of life for residents.”
SWIFT is making the investments through the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund (NBCF-SCF), a joint federal and provincial infrastructure funding program, and in partnership with its member municipalities.
“The broadband infrastructure investments we are making will significantly boost internet speeds and support the digital needs of families and businesses across Lambton County and within Kettle and Stony Point First Nation both today and into the future,” says Barry Field, SWIFT Executive Director.
“SWIFT is proud of the relationships we have established with our partners and community leaders and look forward to continuing to deliver on our commitment to increase access to high-speed services across Southwestern Ontario.”