(Middlesex County, ON) September 12, 2023– SWIFT is pleased to announce the successful completion of two high-speed broadband projects in Middlesex County. Collectively the newly constructed broadband networks are now providing 665 previously underserved homes and businesses throughout the municipalities of Southwest Middlesex, Middlesex Centre and the Township of Strathroy-Caradoc with access to high-speed internet service.
“The successful completion of these two high-speed internet projects in Middlesex County is a testament to SWIFT’s continued commitment to working together with our community partners and local service providers to expand broadband connectivity across Southwestern Ontario’s rural and underserved communities,” said Barry Field, Executive Director SWIFT. “In a world where access to high-speed connectivity has evolved from a convenience to a necessity, these projects mark yet another step towards ensuring that residents and businesses have the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital age.”
As part of SWIFT’s Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan, awarded service provider EH!tel Networks has completed the construction of a 105-kilometre high-speed network to bring greater connectivity to the municipalities of Southwest Middlesex, Middlesex Centre and the Township of Strathroy-Caradoc. Leveraging a combination of fibre and wireless technologies, the network is now providing 597 rural homes and businesses located between the communities of Glencoe, Mount Brydges, Southwold and Middlemiss with access to fast, reliable internet service.
Residents located within the SWIFT funded project area that are interested in subscribing to the newly available service can now sign up with EH!tel Networks by calling 519.594.0946 to receive high-speed connectivity to their homes and businesses.
In addition, Execulink Telecom has completed construction on a 6-kilometre fibre-to-the-home network in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to provide 68 additional homes and businesses located outside of the rural communities of Lobo and Melrose with access to high-speed internet. The main fibre route of the newly installed network runs along parts of Melrose Drive and Gainsborough Road to provide more rural residents with access to fibre-optic connectivity.
To learn more about Execulink Telecom’s high-speed internet services, visit www.execulink.ca or call 1.888.934.3490.
“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” said Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s announcement marks another milestone for homes, businesses, and farms in Middlesex County that can now connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”
“Ontario continues to deliver on its commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By building new broadband infrastructure in Middlesex County, we’re helping to build Ontario and strengthen rural communities. This investment is helping people stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access the supports they need while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
“Ensuring more rural families, workers, and businesses can connect to fast, reliable high-speed internet is crucial to Southwestern Ontario’s long-term economic success,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “By investing in broadband for everyone, our government will continue to bring people closer to the things that matter most to them.”
“We are thrilled to mark the completion of two high-speed internet projects in Middlesex County, in partnership with SWIFT. The initiative underscores our commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that our residents and businesses in Southwest Middlesex, Middlesex Centre, and Strathroy-Caradoc have access to the tools they need to thrive in a digital age. The inclusion of 665 homes and businesses represents not just numbers, but progress and potential unlocked. Middlesex County remains committed to further advancements and partnerships that elevate the quality of life for our communities,” said Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, Warden, Middlesex County.
The completion of these projects is part of SWIFT’s $270 million regional broadband expansion plan, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to nearly 64,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.
In total, through the SWIFT initiative, more than 1,800 homes and businesses in Middlesex County have been provided with access to high-speed connectivity, enabling more residents to enjoy and benefit from fast reliable internet service.
For additional information about SWIFT and its broadband expansion plans, please visit www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
Quotes:
“EH!tel is proud to partner with SWIFT to provide Strathroy-Caradoc and Southwest Middlesex with the best broadband technologies available. Leveling the playing field between rural and urban communities, providing exceptional customer experience through the delivery of advanced, competitively priced communication solutions by investing in communities, technology and people.”
– Antonius Peeters, Chief Executive Officer, EH!tel Networks
“We are pleased to have brought Fibre to the communities of Melrose and Lobo in Middlesex County and will be continuing to expand services in this county. We’re proud to have been providing telecommunication services more than 115 years here in Southwestern Ontario and to bring the Internet speed and reliability that only Fibre can offer.”
– Ian Stevens, CEO, Execulink Telecom
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors has committed a combined investment of $13.1 million to bring high-speed internet service to over more than 1,800 underserved homes and businesses throughout Middlesex County.
- In total, SWIFT has awarded 97 contracts to support the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Southwestern Ontario to bring over 64,000 homes and businesses across the region access to high-speed internet service. Local projects are underway, with 15 projects in the construction phase and 82 projects completed.
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
