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(Middlesex, ON) December 8, 2021 – SWIFT is pleased to announce Xplornet Communications has begun construction of a high-speed fibre-optic network in the Municipality of Thames Centre to bring improved broadband service to 456 underserved households and businesses within Middlesex County.

“We’re pleased to see construction of new broadband infrastructure continuing to roll out in Middlesex County. To-date 4 out of the 7 SWIFT awarded high-speed internet projects have already begun construction within the County to bring resident greater access to fast, reliable internet service,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “In partnership with our local and regional Internet Service Providers, we will continue to push to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet service within Middlesex County and throughout our project areas across Southwestern Ontario.”

“Broadband expansion is good news for families, farms and businesses in the communities of Putnam, Crampton, Avon, Mossley, Harrietsville and Gladstone,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Access to high-speed internet is a necessity for Ontarians in our digital world as families and businesses in these communities need high-speed internet to do their schoolwork, run a business or stay connected with family. Broadband internet is critical infrastructure that benefits the whole community and we’re delivering it to every corner in Ontario.”

The $2.6 million broadband project will service 36 kilometres of roadway with fibre-optic cabling in the southern part of the Municipality of Thames Centre between the communities of Putnam, Avon and Gladstone. The main fibre route will run along parts of Putnam Road, Breen Road, Cromarty Drive, Elgin Road and Gladstone Drive to provide more homes and businesses within the area with access to high-speed internet.

“Today’s announcement is positive news for the residents of Middlesex County. The commencement of this project is another step toward overcoming the digital divide in Ontario and bringing reliable high-speed internet to all our residents,” said Middlesex County Warden Alison Warwick.

“Xplornet is proud to connect more residents and businesses to fast and reliable Internet as part of this collaboration with SWIFT,” said Allison Lenehan, President and CEO, Xplornet Communications Inc. “As more Canadians turn online for work, school, and staying in touch with family and friends, we are committed to expanding our fibre network across the province to enable them to connect to what matters most.”

Construction of the new high-speed network is forecasted to be completed with service fully available to all residents within the SWIFT funded project area by September 2022.

To learn more, please visit www.swiftruralbroadband.ca

Additional Information:

Quick Facts:

  • Together with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, SWIFT will deliver a combined broadband infrastructure investment of $13 million to bring high-speed internet to more than 1,785 underserved homes and businesses within Middlesex County.
  • In total, SWIFT has awarded 96 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 53 projects in the construction phase and 9 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