(Dufferin County, ON) October 24, 2024– SWIFT is pleased to announce the successful completion of all high-speed internet expansion projects in Dufferin County as part of the SWIFT 1.0 initiative. This initiative has played an important role in enhancing connectivity for communities that previously faced significant digital barriers.
With an investment of $10.6 million, SWIFT has partnered with local municipalities and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to bring high-speed internet to 1,866 homes and businesses. These upgrades are vital for improving access to essential services, such as education and healthcare, while also paving the way for economic growth in the region.
“The completion of these high-speed internet projects in Dufferin County reaffirms our commitment to closing the digital divide in rural communities,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “This milestone showcases the transformative impact high-speed internet has on residents and local businesses. We’re grateful for the support from the governments of Ontario and Canada, as well as our dedicated local partners, all of whom have been instrumental in making this progress possible.”
“As part of its Strategic Plan, Dufferin County is committed to improving broadband connectivity in our community to ensure economic success and improve quality of life for our residents,” said Dufferin County Warden, Darren White. “The County thanks SWIFT for their partnership and dedication to bridging the digital divide in Dufferin. Because of the SWIFT 1.0 initiative, our community has enhanced connectivity, which will help us as work to create a community that grows together.”
Key highlights of the completed projects include:
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- EH!Tel Networks Fibre-Optic Project: EH!Tel Networks deployed fibre-optic cabling along 58 kilometres of underserved roadway, extending high-speed internet access to the communities of Redickville, Honeywood, Black Bank, Ruskview, Terra Nova, Kilgorie, Horning’s Mills, Whitfield, and Springwater Lakes. This fibre-to-the-home network now serves 665 homes and businesses.
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- North Frontenac Telephone Company (NFTC) Fibre-Optic Project: NFTC successfully laid fibre cabling along 62 kilometres of underserved roadway, bringing high-speed internet access to 638 homes and businesses in the communities of Laurel, Camilla, and Salem.
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- Bell Canada Fibre-Optic Project: Bell Canada has completed a SWIFT funded fibre-optic projects in Dufferin County, expanding service along over 17 kilometres of underserved roadway. The new fibre-to-the-home network now provides fast, reliable broadband connectivity to 308 homes and businesses in the community of Mansfield and the residential areas surrounding the Mansfield Ski Club.
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- Cogeco Fibre-Optic Project: Cogeco completed the construction of a 13 kilometre fibre-to-the-home network, providing 148 homes and businesses in Marsville, Orton, Prices Corner, and Craigsholme with access to high-speed internet.
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- Rogers Communications Fibre-Optic Project: Rogers Communications has successfully completed the construction of a 4 kilometre fibre-optic network to provide 107 homes and businesses in the community of Garafraxa Woods with access to high-speed internet.
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 Dufferin County and surrounding areas.
For additional information about SWIFT and its broadband expansion plans, please visit www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
Quick Facts:
- Dufferin County benefited from $10.6 million in broadband upgrades, including an additional $1.3 million contribution from the County and over $3.7 million contributed by service providers, as part of the SWIFT 1.0 program.
- Through SWIFT’s $273 million regional broadband expansion plan, nearly 67,000 previously underserved homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario have been provided with access to high-speed internet service, including 1,866 homes and businesses in Dufferin County.
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
