(Simcoe County, ON) November 18, 2022 – Today SWIFT announced that high-speed internet service is now available to an additional 1,600 homes and businesses in Simcoe County.
As part of Southwestern Ontario’s broadband expansion plan, SWIFT is pleased to report the completion of two high-speed fibre-optic infrastructure projects. Collectively the projects span over nearly 90 kilometres of roadway and bring improved internet service to more rural communities throughout the County.
“SWIFT is proud to partner with Vianet and Rogers on these vital infrastructure projects as we work together to expand broadband service to better support the region, communities, and residents by increasing access to high-speed connections and digital opportunities,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “Providing more than 1,600 homes and businesses in Simcoe County with access to reliable broadband service, these newly established networks play an important role in SWIFT’s efforts and aim to narrow the digital divide across Southwestern Ontario.”
“I am proud that our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to rural communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Providing access to high-speed internet in Simcoe County will help build Ontario and strengthen our important rural communities by helping people stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access the supports, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
“Building modern and reliable internet connection infrastructure for rural communities is how Canada will close the digital divide between large urban centres and rural communities,” said Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket—Aurora on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “New broadband networks are now in service in several communities across Simcoe County, and are supporting homes, farms and businesses as they access essential services, work remotely, study from home, and connect with customers around the globe.”
In partnership with SWIFT, Vianet has laid 75 kilometres of fibre-optic cabling throughout the Towns of New Tecumseth, Bradford West Gwillimbury and within the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio to expand high-speed internet service to more than 1,200 homes and businesses located throughout the rural communities of Penville, Rich Hill, Connor, Hockley and Rosemont.
In addition, Rogers Communications is now offering high-speed internet service to more than 400 homes and businesses in Clearview Township, as the service provider has completed the construction of a 15 kilometre fibre-optic network to bring greater connectivity to the community of New Lowell.
“County Council has been a strong supporter of SWIFT from the outset, recognizing access to reliable, high-speed connectivity as essential for our diverse range of expanding rural and urban communities,” said Warden George Cornell. “The completion of these two high-speed fibre-optic networks in Simcoe County is great news for local residents and businesses that will now benefit from improved connectivity. These past, present and future infrastructure projects, supported by the Federal and Provincial governments, and delivered by SWIFT, will have a huge impact on our communities as we continue to grow and adapt to a new virtual environment.”
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/projects.
Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $268 million regional broadband expansion plan that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 63,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Quotes:
“Vianet is proud to be able to say we have completed the fibre optic build of our SWIFT project in rural South Simcoe, on time and on budget. This could not have happened without the efforts of the whole Vianet team doing what we do best, build fibre to the home networks. The rural residents in this project area can now take advantage of the best internet available and have leap frogged over those in the urbans areas that are relying on lesser networks. This project could not have happened without the contributions of SWIFT, the provincial and federal governments, and we thank you all for your vision to bring quality internet to rural Canadians. We would also like to thank the townships of Adjala-Tosorontio, New Tecumseh and Bradford, as we value the working relationship, we have built up over the past few years with these Municipalities.”
– Director of Business Development Brian McCullagh, Vianet
“We know connectivity is essential to the economic development and vitality of underserved, rural and remote communities, that’s why we are committed to bridging the digital divide for Canadians. We are proud to be part of SWIFT’s Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan and to have reached these wonderful milestones of connecting more residents and business owners in the Simcoe County.”
– Robert Dépatie, President and Chief Operating Officer, Home and Business, Rogers Communications
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, has committed a combined investment of $40 million to bring high-speed internet service to 12,734 underserved homes and businesses throughout the Simcoe County.
- In total, SWIFT has awarded 97 contracts to support the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Southwestern Ontario to bring more than 63,000 homes and businesses across the region improved access to high-speed internet. Local projects are underway, with 43 projects in the construction phase and 53 projects completed.
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
