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(Waterloo Region, ON) October 12, 2022 – SWIFT is pleased to report that an additional 470 homes and businesses in the Region of Waterloo now have access to high-speed internet, as the regional broadband expansion program marks construction complete on three fibre-optic projects.

“SWIFT continues to make steady progress in the expansion of broadband service throughout the Region of Waterloo. With three out of five awarded SWIFT projects now complete, the newly establish high-speed fibre-optic broadband infrastructure will play a critical role in supporting the connectivity needs of many more communities across the Region, both today and well into the future,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT.

“Our government is delivering on its commitment to provide access to high-speed internet throughout rural Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Projects that connect more communities to high-speed internet, like this one in Waterloo Region, are crucial to building a stronger Ontario. We’re helping families and farmers stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access supports they need while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”

In partnership with SWIFT, Bell Canada has completed construction of a 15 kilometre fibre-optic network in the Township of North Dumfries to bring high-speed internet service to 254 homes and businesses throughout the communities of Orr’s Lake and Clyde.

In the Townships of Wilmot and North Dumfries, Rogers Communications has also completed construction of a 7 kilometre fibre-to-the-home network to provide 124 additional homes and businesses in the community of Haysville and east of Ayr, with access to high-speed fibre-optic connectivity.

In addition, EH!tel Networks is now providing high-speed internet service to an additional 92 homes and businesses in the Township of Woolwich, by servicing more than 14 kilometres of underserved roadway to expand broadband infrastructure between the communities of Weissenburg and Maryhill.

“It is vital that all areas of our region have the necessary infrastructure to support growth,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “This includes investments in high-speed internet, which is essential for attracting jobs and retaining local talent in our rural communities.”

Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $268 million regional broadband expansion plan that will bring high-speed internet service to more than 63,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.

For additional information on SWIFT funded projects, please visit: www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/projects

Quotes:
“We at EH!tel Networks, are grateful for the opportunity to expand our fibre to the home,  offering residence of the Region of Waterloo, high speed internet. Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Antonius Peeters, CEO and President, EH!tel Networks

Quick Facts:

  • SWIFT, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and private sector investors, has committed a combined investment of $12 million to bring high-speed internet service to 1,339 underserved homes and businesses throughout the Region of Waterloo.
  • In total, SWIFT has awarded 97 contracts to support the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Southwestern Ontario to bring more than 63,000 homes and businesses across the region improved access to high-speed internet. Local projects are underway, including 47 projects in the construction phase and 47 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