(Caledon, ON) January 25, 2021 – Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is pleased to announce that construction is now underway to improve access to high-speed broadband services in Caledon. Vianet, which entered into a funding agreement with SWIFT to construct two new high-speed fibre-optic networks, has broken ground on both awarded projects.
Construction of the $1.9 million broadband infrastructure project that will bring high-speed internet access to approximately 375 households in the north east end of Caledon by December 2021 has begun.
Work is also now underway in central Caledon to improve high-speed internet access for more than 471households. The $2.5 million fibre-to-the-home network is expected to be completed by March 2022.
“SWIFT is proud to be partnering with Vianet to bring better broadband services to many more residents living in Caledon,” said David Mayberry, SWIFT Board Chair. “With shovels now in the ground, residents are one step closer to greater access to high-speed connectivity.”
“It’s so great to see shovels in the ground for these important projects,” said Caledon Mayor, Allan Thompson. “Installing the cabling to bring high speed to these areas will fill large gaps in the Caledon service area. Congratulations to Vianet for pushing this construction forward and thank you to SWIFT and the Province of Ontario for supporting these efforts.”
“Vianet is pleased to say that we have gotten a great start on our Caledon SWIFT projects and have been able to keep up the hard work throughout the winter. The progress we are making over the winter months will keep this project moving forward and on target to get customers online as soon as possible. We fully understand the need these rural homeowners have to acquire quality internet that is so desperately needed based on today’s circumstances. We are working as diligently as we can to deliver this service in a timely manner. Again, we would like to thank SWIFT for awarding this project to Vianet and helping us continue to serve rural Ontarians with fibre to the home,” said Brian McCullagh, Director of Business Development, Vianet.
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:
Town of Caledon Project Overview
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, recently announced a combined investment of $6.2 million to deliver high-speed internet to more than 990 underserved homes and businesses within the Town of Caledon.
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
