SWIFT is pleased to announce today that construction has begun on a community-wide fibre-to-the-home project in Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
“We are proud to make this important announcement today in partnership with our community partners, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and Execulink Telecom, as work is now underway to provide the community with access to fast, reliable high-speed internet services,” says David Mayberry, SWIFT Board Chair. “The high-speed internet to the home project will not only service the entire community but will also provide business owners and residents with a long-term sustainable broadband solution for generations to come.”
Execulink Telecom, in partnership with SWIFT, will deploy fibre along more than 35 kilometres of underserved roads within the First Nation to provide high-speed internet access to more than 900 homes and businesses within the community by December 2020.
“Working in cooperation with many partners has brought us new relationships and new technology,” says Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point Chief Jason Henry. “As a result, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation will continue to grow and foster the resources in the region and beyond.”
“Providing access to fast and reliable Internet in underserviced rural communities within Southwestern Ontario has been an ongoing challenge,” says Ian Stevens, President and CEO, Execulink Telecom. “Unpredictable access to dependable Internet has negative impacts on work, education, connectivity, and entertainment. It’s time that those who call Kettle Point home receive the awesome experience they deserve.”
Once complete, the newly installed $2.7 million network will deliver up to gigabit speeds across its entire footprint to provide seamless reliable connectivity to users and will support increased future network demands as technology continues to evolve.
“The new infrastructure will be truly transformational for the community” says Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “The network will offer exceptionally fast internet speeds to provide greater streaming, uploading and sharing capabilities to meet the needs of the community today while providing a future-proof solution to address the ever-growing demands of our rapidly changing digital world.”
Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’S $209 million Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan.
Quick Facts:
- More than 900 homes and businesses within the First Nation, as well as to nearly 130 homes and businesses in the surrounding area, will benefit from increase access to high-speed broadband services.
- The total project cost is approximately $2.7 million and will require Execulink Telecom to install fibre-optic lines along 35 kilometres of road to deliver a fibre-to-the-home solution.
- SWIFT is currently overseeing a $209 million Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan that will connect 22% of the region’s underserved premises over the next 3 years.
- The Government of Ontario and Canada have committed up to $63.7 million each to support SWIFT. The project also leverages additional funding from municipal partners and private sector investors.
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.
The project was approved for funding 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 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
