(Middlesex County, ON) September 23, 2022 – SWIFT today announced that fast reliable internet connectivity will soon be available to an additional 354 homes and businesses in Middlesex County, as the regional broadband program marks the start of construction on three high-speed fibre-optic projects that will expand broadband service throughout the Municipalities of Middlesex Centre, Adelaide-Metcalfe and Strathroy-Caradoc.
“SWIFT is proud to partner with local service providers Quadro Communications and Execulink Telecom on these very important projects as we continue our efforts to expand broadband service throughout Middlesex County and across Southwestern Ontario,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “Construction is progressing at a steady pace across the County and we look forward to seeing new high-speed connections being made throughout our project areas in the upcoming months.”
“Our government is getting it done and delivering on its commitment to provide access to high-speed internet throughout rural Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Projects like these in Middlesex County that connect more communities to high-speed internet, are crucial to building a stronger Ontario. We’re helping families and farmers stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access supports, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
In partnership with SWIFT, Execulink Telecom broke ground earlier this year on a fibre-optic broadband project to bring high-speed internet connectivity to 174 additional homes and businesses in the communities of Kerwood, Napperton and Strathroy. The project’s main fibre route will run along parts of Napperton Drive and Kerwood Drive in the Township of Adelaide-Metcalfe and along parts of Wright Street and Adair Boulevard in the Township of Strathroy-Caradoc. Construction of the high-speed network is forecasted to be complete by early Fall 2022.
Execulink Telecom has also begun construction on a fibre-to-the-home network in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to provide 66 additional rural homes and businesses located outside of the communities of Lobo and Melrose with access to high-speed internet. The project’s main fibre route will run along parts of Melrose Drive and Gainsborough Road and is expected to be complete with service fully available to all locations within the network’s coverage area by May 2023.
Work is also underway to expand broadband service in the Municipality of Middlesex as Quadro Communications begins construction of a high-speed fibre-optic network to service 114 homes and businesses in the community of Ballymote. The network’s main fibre route will run along parts of Medway Road and Highbury Avenue North with service forecasted to be available by December 2022.
“The construction of three high-speed networks is an incredible advancement in improving internet access for residents in Middlesex County,” said Middlesex County Warden Alison Warwick. Thank you to SWIFT for their continued investment in striving for digital equality and expanding broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas across the region.”
Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $268 million regional broadband expansion plan that will bring high-speed internet service to more than 63,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/projects
Quotes:
“We are proud to bring Fibre to the communities of Kerwood, Melrose, and Napperton in Middlesex County. We’ve been providing telecommunication services more than 115 years here in Southwestern Ontario. Execulink provides the Internet speed and reliability that only Fibre can offer and the awesome customer experience that local residents and businesses deserve.”
– Ian Stevens, CEO, Execulink Telecom
“The demand for reliable Internet has exponentially increased over the last couple of years. As a co-operative, Quadro Communications is passionate about connecting local communities; the partnership with SWIFT and the Governments of Ontario and Canada will allow us to do just that. Quadro is pleased to partner with SWIFT, and proud to be bringing Fibre Optic technology to Ballymote (Middlesex County); an area considered under-served; which will in the near future have access to Internet speeds deliverable over a Fibre Optic network. Quadro is looking forward to connecting over 120 farms, homes, and businesses in the Ballymote area. This partnership will allow Quadro to extend our Fibre Optic network to many underserved rural residents throughout the communities we serve.”
– Darryl Evans, General Manager, Quadro Communications
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, has committed a combined investment of $13.2 million to bring high-speed internet service to 1,796 underserved homes and businesses throughout Middlesex 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 51 projects in the construction phase and 42 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
