(Chatham-Kent, ON) October 29, 2024 – SWIFT proudly announces the successful completion of several high-speed broadband projects in Chatham-Kent, marking a significant milestone in the region’s digital infrastructure development.
Through strategic investments totaling $19.1 million, SWIFT, in partnership with the municipality and local service providers, has successfully expanded high-speed internet services to more than 4,827 previously underserved homes and businesses throughout the region, delivering significant benefits such as improved access to education, healthcare, remote work opportunities, and enhanced connectivity for residents and businesses in these communities.
“We are incredibly proud of the progress made through these broadband expansion projects in Chatham-Kent, as they are vital in enhancing the everyday lives of residents and supporting the growth of local businesses. By bringing reliable high-speed internet to more than 4,800 underserved homes and businesses, we are opening doors to improved healthcare, educational opportunities, and new ways of working,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the strong collaboration with the municipality and our community partners, whose support has been key to delivering these essential services and driving long-term benefits for the region.”
“Chatham-Kent is thrilled to have expanded access to high-speed internet throughout our rural areas. As we continue to grow as a community, access to reliable broadband internet must remain a priority,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. “I would like to thank TekSavvy Solutions, Cogeco and the Western Warden’s Caucus for their ongoing support and commitment to the betterment of Chatham-Kent. This expansion ensures that our rural residents have access to things like online education, remote work opportunities, entertainment and social connectivity, all of which are mandatory and foundational for a community to flourish.”
Key highlights of the completed projects include:
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- Fibre-to-the-Home Projects with TekSavvy Solutions: TekSavvy Solutions has successfully completed three SWIFT funded fibre-to-the-home projects within Chatham-Kent, covering nearly 100 kilometres of underserved roadway. These projects have provided high-speed internet access to 1,684 homes and businesses across various communities, including Mitchell’s Bay, Highgate, Tupperville, Dover Centre, Grande Pointe, Louisville, Kent Bridge, Muirkirk, and Duart, as well as in rural areas outside of Wallaceburg, Dresden, Thamesville, Bothwell, and Pain Court.
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- Cogeco Fibre-Optic Project: SWIFT has partnered with Cogeco to deploy fibre cabling along more than 115 kilometres of underserved roadway in communities such as Erieau, Erie Beach, Dealtown, North Buxton, Charing Cross, Cedar Springs, Shrewsbury, Rondeau Bay Estates, New Scotland, Rondeau Park, and Morpeth. This fibre-to-the-home network buildout has extended high-speed internet access to 3,049 businesses and homes, fostering economic growth and development in these areas.
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- Fibre-Optic Backbone for Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown): TekSavvy Solutions has constructed a 13 kilometre fibre-optic backbone and feeder network, enabling the Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit community to access modern broadband infrastructure capable of delivering internet speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second. This fibre-optic project is now providing 94 homes and businesses within the community with access to high-speed internet service.
These completed projects represent a significant investment in digital infrastructure and underscore SWIFT’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, promoting economic growth, and improving the quality of life for residents and businesses in Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas.
For additional information about SWIFT and its broadband expansion plans, please visit www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT utilized $7.4 million in funding contributions from member municipalities, including investments from Chatham-Kent, to facilitate the expansion of broadband services across the municipality and within the Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown) community.
- The region benefited from a total of $19.1 million in broadband upgrades, with nearly $11.8 million contributed by service providers, as part of the SWIFT program.
- Through SWIFT’s $273 million regional broadband expansion plan, nearly 67,000 previously underserved homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario will be provided with access to high-speed internet service.
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.
Media Contact:
Melissa O’Brien
[email protected]
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
226.256.1640