(Waterloo, ON) March 23, 2022 – SWIFT is pleased to announce construction is underway in the Region of Waterloo to bring high-speed internet service to 92 homes and businesses in the Township of Woolwich.
As part of SWIFT’s Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan, EH!tel Networks was awarded funding to construct a fibre-optic broadband network to bring high-speed internet service to residents living between the rural communities of Weissenburg and Maryhill. Once complete the network coverage area will provide service along Crowsfoot Road with sections off to the southeast including along Durant Road, Beitz Road, Maryhill Road, St. Charles Street East and Pine Creek Road.
“Access to high-quality broadband service is essential for our small and rural communities both socially and economically. With our partnership with EH!tel Networks the high-speed fibre-optic project will bring greater connectivity to the Region of Waterloo to further support local businesses and enable communities and residents to thrive in today’s digitally driven world,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT.
“Our government has made access to high-speed internet a priority for rural Ontario, and we’re delivering on that commitment,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “New connections in Waterloo Region will help families stay in touch, help people access supports they need, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. This is the type of critical infrastructure that benefits the entire community.”
Construction of the new high-speed network began in January and is expected to be complete with service fully available to all residents located with in the project’s fibre footprint by June 2022.
“EH!tel is proud to partner with SWIFT to connect underserved communities in the Region of Waterloo. The project will lead to new partnerships, stimulate economic growth, create employment, and keep families connected,” said Antonius Peeters, CEO, EH!tel Networks.
To learn more about EH!tel Networks’ high-speed internet services, please visit www.ehtel.ca or call 519.594.0946.
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/projects
Additional Information:
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, has committed a combined investment of $12 million to bring high-speed internet service to 1,331 underserved homes and businesses throughout the Region of Waterloo.
- 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, including 54 projects in the construction phase and 20 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
