Bruce Power, the world’s largest operating nuclear facility, is now a member of the SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT) initiative.
“Becoming a member of SWIFT will help our communities – and our economy – truly reach their potential,” said Sarah Shortreed, Bruce Power Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Widespread access to broadband Internet, especially in the rural areas of southwestern Ontario, is incredibly important to families and businesses, as technology becomes ever-more necessary in our daily lives.”
By joining SWIFT, Bruce Power is investing in a collective broadband initiative that is funding the construction of an ultra high-speed fibre-optic regional broadband network for everyone in Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region. This partnership follows $180 million in combined investments by the federal and provincial governments and over $17 million in investments by municipalities across southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region.
“We live in an increasingly digital world where access to high-speed networks means access to incredible opportunities for innovation and growth,” said Gerry Marshall, Board Chair at SWIFT. “By working together, we can create the aggregated demand we need to accelerate fibre diffusion and remove barriers to economic development, e-commerce, education, employment and health care.”
“SWIFT is an evidence-based solution that is leveraging the collective voice of 3.5 million Ontarians to maximize broadband infrastructure investments,” said Geoff Hogan, Chief Executive Officer at SWIFT. “Game changing models, like SWIFT, need to be supported and rolled out across the province.”
About SWIFT
SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT) is a not-for-profit, collective broadband initiative that is funding the construction of an affordable, open-access, ultra high-speed fibre-optic regional broadband network for everyone in Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region. To overcome our region’s broadband infrastructure gaps, SWIFT has developed a long-term plan to help more than 3.5 million Ontarians to connect and keep pace in a changing digital world. SWIFT membership is open to any community or organization in southwestern Ontario that needs connectivity to any of its locations. Members benefit from SWIFT’s significant procurement expertise, including aggregated demand, negotiated rates, and support in preparing RFPs for broadband services. As a buying group, SWIFT also ensures greater competition between telecom service providers which will lead to better services at lower prices in member communities.
Help SWIFT fund the construction of “broadband for everyone” by completing an Internet usage survey: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/survey
About Bruce Power
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live.
