EH!tel Networks is now offering high-speed internet service in the communities of Ariss, Ponsonby and Inverhaugh.
(Wellington County, ON) January 28, 2021– – Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is proud to announce the construction of a $2.7 million high-speed network in Wellington County is now complete and is delivering improved broadband access to more than 670 households.
“SWIFT is pleased to announce that EH!tel Networks has completed construction of a new high-speed network to bring fast, reliable internet to many more homes and businesses in Wellington County,” said David Mayberry, SWIFT Board Chair. “Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet across our region. We are proud of this achievement as we continue to drive forward with our broadband expansion plans in Wellington County and across Southwestern Ontario.”
A total of $1.8 million in federal and provincial funding was awarded by SWIFT to support EH!tel Networks in the development of new broadband infrastructure in the communities of Ariss, Ponsonby and Inverhaugh.
“Access to reliable, high speed internet is essential,” said Wellington County Warden Kelly Linton. “The COVID-19 pandemic has seen businesses go online, remote learning for children, medical appointments go virtual and many people are working from home. Now, more than ever it’s critical that rural areas have access to high speed internet. On behalf of County Council, I am pleased that construction is now complete on the SWIFT/EH!tel Ariss project. An additional 670 homes in the areas will now have access to reliable, high speed internet.”
“We are proud to be partnering with EH!tel Networks on this very important project,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “Despite COVID-19, EH!tel Networks was able to accelerate the rollout of it’s high-speed services. Construction of the new network, which broke ground in April of last year, was completed 8 months ahead of schedule and is now providing residents with improved and enhanced access to high-quality broadband services.”
Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $209 million broadband expansion plan that aims to bring better broadband access to approximately 50,000 underserved homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario.
Additional Information:
Wellington County Project Overview
Quick Facts:
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- SWIFT awarded $1.8 million in federal and provincial funding to EH!tel Networks to bring fibre-optic broadband service to roughly 558 premises in the communities of Ariss, Ponsonby, and Inverhaugh. Additionally, this project will also provide high-speed broadband service via wireless to roughly 116 rural residences surrounding the community of Inverhaugh.
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- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, announced a combined investment of $12.7 million to deliver high-speed internet to more than 3,000 underserved homes and businesses within the County of Wellington.
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.
The project was approved for funding 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 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
