(Huron County, Ontario ) November 27, 2024 – SWIFT is pleased to announce the successful completion of several high-speed broadband projects in Huron County, marking a significant milestone in the region’s digital infrastructure development.
With a combined investment of more than $13.6 million, SWIFT worked closely with both public and private sector partners to extend high-speed internet to 1,884 homes and businesses in previously underserved parts of Huron County. This expansion of fibre-optic broadband service in Huron County will provide significant benefits, including enhanced educational opportunities, improved access to healthcare, and greater potential for remote work, benefiting both residents and businesses across the region.
“Expanding access to high-speed internet is fundamental to supporting Huron County’s growth and resilience,” said Barry Field, Executive Director of SWIFT. “These projects have paved the way for communities to tap into the digital economy, access online services, and stay connected to resources that enhance quality of life. We’re proud of the progress made and look forward to continuing our work toward more connected communities across Southwestern Ontario.”
“We are thrilled to see the successful completion of these high-speed broadband projects in Huron County,” said Huron County Warden, Glen McNeil. “Access to reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for our communities to thrive in today’s digital economy. This significant investment will improve educational opportunities, support local businesses, and help our residents stay connected to essential services. We are grateful for the collaboration between SWIFT, our local service providers, and all levels of government, and look forward to the continued growth and success of these initiatives in Huron County.”
Key highlights of the completed projects include:
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- Tuckersmith Communications Fibre-Optic Projects: Tuckersmith Communications has successfully completed five SWIFT funded fibre-to-the-home projects in Huron County, expanding service along 130 kilometres of rural underserved roadway. These projects have collectively provided high-speed internet access to 473 homes and businesses across various communities, including Porter’s Hill, Summerhill, Roxboro, Henfryn, and Sunshine.
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- HuronTel Fibre-Optic Projects: HuronTel has successfully completed the construction of three fiber-optic projects in Huron County, deploying fibre-optic cabling along 109 kilometers of rural roadway. Collectively these network expansion projects are now providing high-speed internet access to 480 rural homes and businesses in the communities of Marnoch, Hutton Heights and rural areas surrounding Blue Water Beach and south of Benmiller.
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- Wightman Telecom Fibre-Optic Project: SWIFT partnered with Wightman Telecom to deploy fibre cabling along 23 kilometre stretch of roadway. This initiative has successfully provided 691 homes and businesses in the communities of Wroxeter, Gorrie and Fordwich with access to high-speed internet service.
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- Hay Communications Fibre-Optic Project: SWIFT partnered with Hay Communications to deploy fibre cabling along 70 kilometres of underserved roadway throughout the rural communities of Thames Road, Lumley and Hurondale. This fibre-to-the-home network buildout has extended high-speed internet access to 240 businesses and homes.
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 Huron County and surrounding areas.
For additional information about SWIFT and its broadband expansion plans, please visit www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
Quick Facts:
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- Huron County benefited from a total of $13.6 million in broadband upgrades, with over $6.9 million contributed by service providers, as part of the SWIFT 1.0 program.
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- 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, including 1,884 rural homes and businesses in Huron 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
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
[email protected]
226.256.1640
