(Lambton County, ON) October 23, 2024– SWIFT is pleased to announce the successful completion of all high-speed internet expansion projects in Lambton County as part of the SWIFT 1.0 initiative. This milestone wraps up a series of critical broadband infrastructure improvements aimed at closing the digital divide in underserved areas.
With a total investment of $19 million, SWIFT worked in collaboration with municipal governments and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to bring high-speed internet connectivity to 4,931 homes and businesses across the county. These projects have not only improved access to essential services such as education and healthcare but also support economic development by enabling more residents and businesses to participate in the digital economy.
“The completion of these projects in Lambton County highlights our commitment to ensuring that rural and underserved communities are not left behind in the digital age,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “This summary of our work highlights the transformative impact high-speed internet has had on thousands of residents and businesses, and it’s important to acknowledge that none of this progress would have been possible without the support of the governments of Ontario and Canada, along with our local partners.”
“The completion of these projects is an incredible milestone to celebrate in Lambton County,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. “The support from Lambton County Council and our community partners, along with the Federal and Provincial governments, has improved access to high-speed internet for over 4,900 homes and businesses in our community and plays a key role in helping to bridge the digital divide and improve the quality of life for our residents.”
Key highlights of the completed projects include:
-
- Fibre-to-the-Home Projects with Execulink Telecom: Execulink Telecom has successfully completed three SWIFT funded fibre-to-the-home projects in Lambton County expanding service along more than 160 kilometres of underserved roadway. These projects have provided high-speed internet access to 2,332 homes and businesses across various communities, including Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Ravenswood, Gustin Grove, Cedar Point, Glendale Beach, Hillsborough Beach, Highland Glen, Thedford, Springvale, and Jura.
-
- Brooke Telecom Fibre-Optic Project: SWIFT partnered with Brooke Telecom to deploy fibre cabling along 150 kilometres of underserved roadway throughout the rural communities of Wanstead, Rokeby, Walnut and Sutorville. This fibre-to-the-home network buildout has extended high-speed internet access to 580 businesses and homes, fostering economic growth.
-
- Cogeco Fibre-Optic Network Expansion: Cogeco has successfully completed the construction of a fibre-optic project in Lambton County. Covering nearly 80 kilometres of roadway, this completed project is now providing high-speed internet access to 2,019 homes and businesses along portions of the St. Clair River shoreline between Corunna and Babys Point, as well as the areas surrounding the communities of Brigden and Wilkesport 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 Lambton County and surrounding areas.
For additional information about SWIFT and its broadband expansion plans, please visit www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
Quick Facts:
- Lambton County benefited from a total of $19 million in broadband upgrades, with over $9.5 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 4,931 homes and businesses in Lambton 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
