(Essex County, ON) August 18, 2023– SWIFT is proud to announce the completion of three high-speed internet projects that are now providing Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity to more than 1,900 previously underserved homes and businesses in Essex County.
“We’re thrilled to see the completion of these high-speed fibre-optic networks in Essex County,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “The newly established infrastructure will provide significant benefits to residents and local businesses, including improved access to online services, increased productivity, and enhanced opportunities for economic growth. We’re grateful for the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in bringing these projects to completion and look forward to the positive impact they will have on the region for years to come.”
As part of SWIFT’s Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan, TekSavvy Solutions has completed the construction of an FTTH network to bring fast, reliable internet connectivity to more than 945 underserved households and businesses in the community of Stoney Point. The new fibre-optic network spans over 26 kilometres of roadway to provide homes and businesses located along portions of the Lake St. Clair Shoreline and along County Road 2 between Deerbrook and Lighthouse Cove with access to high-speed internet service.
In addition, TekSavvy Solutions has completed the construction of a fibre-optic network to connect more than 470 homes and businesses in Lighthouse Cove and the surrounding areas east of Stoney Point.
Residents located within the SWIFT funded project areas that are interested in subscribing to the newly available service can now sign up with TekSavvy Solutions by calling 1.877.779.1575 to receive fibre-optic connectivity to their homes and businesses.
In addition, Cogeco has completed the construction of a high-speed fibre-optic network in the community of Marentette Beach, expanding over 24 kilometres of roadway to provide more than 490 previously underserved homes and businesses with access to fibre-optic connectivity. The main fibre route of the network now runs along parts of Point Pelee Drive, Mersea Road 12, Mersea Roads B, D and E, Marentette Beach and E Beach Road, servicing rural areas southeast of Leamington and north of Point Pelee National Park.
To subscribe to the newly available high-speed internet service, residents located in the SWIFT funded project area in the community of Marentette Beach can contact Cogeco directly at 1.833.355.0708 to schedule an installation of service to their homes and businesses.
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.
For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca.
Quotes:
“Our government continues to invest in infrastructure as we work to build a stronger and more resilient Canada. Today’s announcement is helping to deliver reliable broadband infrastructure while also supporting inclusive communities, creating good jobs and supporting a robust economy,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
“Our government is proud to partner with the Government of Ontario to connect three additional communities in Southern Ontario to a strong and reliable high-speed network,” said Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament of Windsor—Tecumseh. “These communities will now have access to an improved cellular connection, allowing residents and businesses to access important essential services wherever they are.”
“This investment is helping people connect and stay connected by enabling them to access the support they need while improving the community. Our government is continuously carrying out its commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to communities in our province,” said MPP Trevor Jones, Chatham-Kent-Leamington, PA of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Broadband infrastructure in Essex County continues to help grow Ontario and build up rural communities.”
“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 Essex 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.”
“Residents and businesses in rural areas of Essex County are eager to see this broadband network reach their front doors. High-speed internet service is improving access to online services for the 1,900 homes and businesses recently added to the network in Stoney Point, Lighthouse Cove and Marentette Beach. We look forward to the completion of more SWIFT projects in the year to come,” said Hilda MacDonald, Warden, County of Essex.
“TekSavvy Solutions Inc., has delivered another successful fibre project in Southwestern Ontario. Our thanks to SWIFT for the strong partnership during this important project. TekSavvy looks forward to providing ultra-fast fibre internet service to the residents and businesses of Lighthouse Cove and Stoney Point for decades to come”, said Charlie Burns, Chief Technology Officer, TekSavvy Solutions Inc.
“More than 400 residents and businesses in Marentette Beach and Leamington will enjoy our fibre-powered network, keeping them connected to their friends, family, coworkers, clients, and community. We are proud to partner with SWIFT and take another step in our joint mission to make high-speed Internet accessible to all Ontarians, whether they live in the southernmost point or the north,” said Matt Wickham, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience and B2B at Cogeco.
Quick Facts:
- SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, has committed a combined investment of $20.2 million to bring high-speed internet service to 5,327 underserved homes and businesses throughout Essex County.
- In total, SWIFT has awarded 97 contracts to support the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Southwestern Ontario to bring nearly 64,000 homes and businesses across the region access to high-speed internet service. Local projects are underway, with 19 projects in the construction phase and 78 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
