(Niagara, Ontario ) December 13, 2024 – SWIFT is pleased to announce the successful completion of three fibre-optic broadband infrastructure projects in the Niagara Region. As part of the SWIFT 1.0 initiative, these projects have brought high-speed internet access to 5,406 previously underserved homes and businesses across the region.
“Access to reliable internet is essential for supporting economic growth, education, and social connectivity,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “The successful completion of our projects in the Niagara Region is yet another step forward in a collective effort to bridge the digital divide. The expansion of fibre-optic connectivity in these communities showcases the power of collaboration. We appreciate the ongoing support from federal, provincial, and municipal governments as we strive to ensure every resident and business thrives in the digital age.”
“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to continue growing from strength to strength in our increasingly digital world,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s announcement marks another milestone for the residents of Niagara Region that can now connect to essential services and enjoy the additional opportunities that come with high-speed internet.”
The recently completed projects include the construction of two fibre-optic networks by Bell Canada, covering a total of 245 kilometres across several communities, including St. Anns, North Pelham, Colemans, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Point Abino, Sherkston, Lorraine, Bethel, Willow Bay, Long Beach, Wainfleet, Ostryhon Corners, Chambers Corners, Winger, Forks Road, Perry, and Wellandport. These networks have provided much-needed high-speed connectivity for 4,634 homes and businesses, addressing critical needs and supporting economic and social development in these areas.
“Our government is delivering on our promise to bring high-speed internet to communities throughout the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “With the installation of new fibre-optic broadband infrastructure in the Niagara Region, we are connecting over 5,000 homes and businesses and boosting the growth of our rural communities. This investment ensures families can stay connected, businesses can reach more customers, and individuals have access to essential online services.”
“Our government is improving connectivity in Niagara Region, bringing us another step closer to our goal of providing every community across Ontario with high-speed internet access by the end of 2025,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government is proudly investing more than $63 million to support SWIFT projects that will enable connectivity for homes and businesses across southwestern Ontario. This investment is part of our historic $4 billion plan to accelerate the delivery of high-speed internet projects in communities across province.”
In addition, Cogeco has deployed fibre-optic cabling along more than 53 kilometres of underserved roadway, enhancing access to high-speed internet within the communities of Grimsby Centre, Grassie, Allen’s Corners, Kimbo, Fulton, Abingdon, Caistor Centre and Caistorville to provide 772 previously underserved homes and businesses with access to fibre-optic connectivity.
“The expansion of fast, reliable Internet access to more Niagara homes and businesses will continue building Niagara’s capacity to do business in today’s connected, online economy. I would like to thank SWIFT and our federal and provincial partners for investing in this critical infrastructure that will truly allow Niagara’s communities to Grow Better Together,” said Jim Bradley, Niagara Regional Chair.
“SWIFT has successfully worked with local ISPs and completed several major projects here in Niagara, bringing broadband connectivity to key under-served areas. This has brought quality Internet to areas where it is required, given the demands of today’s businesses, including modern agriculture,” said Robert Foster, SWIFT Board Member and Niagara Regional Councillor. “As we move forward, we continue to collaborate with the province to address the remaining broadband needs of our rural communities while building on the success of projects funded by both the federal and provincial governments.”
These projects mark a significant achievement for SWIFT 1.0, a $273 million initiative to expand high-speed internet access to nearly 67,000 homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario.
In the Niagara Region, more than $25 million has been invested in broadband infrastructure through the SWIFT 1.0 program, resulting in the completion of four fibre-optic projects. Together, these initiatives have provided high-speed internet access to 6,083 homes and businesses, providing essential broadband services that support economic growth, education, and community well-being.
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
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“Bell is very pleased to expand access to high-speed internet to over 4,500 homes and businesses in the Niagara Region. We’re proud of our partnership with SWIFT and the federal and provincial governments to continue delivering on our purpose of advancing how Canadians connect with each other and the world.”
– Mark McDonald, SVP Network, Bell Canada
“At Cogeco, we have a deep commitment to connecting, investing, and supporting our communities. We’re proud to partner with SWIFT to bring our fibre-powered network to over 750 residents and businesses in the Township of West Lincoln and the Town of Grimsby. This allows them to stay connected to their friends, family, coworkers, clients, and community through our high-speed Internet and TV services, including local programming on YourTV. It marks another step in bridging the digital divide, ensuring all Ontarians are connected no matter where they live.”
-Nicolle Plenderleith, Vice President of Sales at Cogeco
Quick Facts:
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- In addition to this announcement, Niagara Regional Broadband Network (NRBN) successfully completed a fibre-optic project spanning 68 kilometres, bringing high-speed internet access to 677 previously underserved homes and businesses in the communities of Chantler, Becketts Bridge, and O’Reilly’s Bridge.
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- SWIFT, in partnership with federal, provincial, and private sector investors, has committed over $25 million—including $8.8 million in federal and provincial funding through the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund—to provide high-speed internet to 6,083 underserved homes and businesses across the Region of Niagara as part of the SWIFT 1.0 initiative.
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- Of the total investment in the Niagara Region, over $16.3 million has been contributed by service providers as part of the SWIFT 1.0 program.
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- As part of the $273 million SWIFT 1.0 initiative, nearly 67,000 previously underserved homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario now have access to high-speed internet, enhancing connectivity throughout the region.
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- New SWIFT 2.0 Project: SWIFT has been awarded $34 million in funding from the Government of Ontario to support the SWIFT 2.0 project. This initiative will provide high-speed internet access to 3,133 underserved homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas throughout Southwestern Ontario.
About SWIFT
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non-profit regional broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to subsidize the construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region.
The project was approved for funding up to $127.4 million under the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund (NBCF-SCF), a joint federal and provincial infrastructure funding program, and leverages additional funding from municipal partners and private sector investors to bring improve access to broadband services across the region.
Media Contact:
Melissa O’Brien
[email protected]
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
226.256.1640
