A bit of a change from normal funding announcements last week in Parkhill where the Ontario government has invested more than $49 million to bring reliable, high-speed internet access to an additional 3,340 homes, farms, and businesses in Middlesex County and surrounding communities, and this particular project is already in place. Through it’s Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program (AHSIP), the government has partnered with North Frontenac Telephone Company (NFTC) to complete the Lot 50.1 project.
Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries was on hand for the announcement.
The Minister added since the inception of the project, it really helps those in the rural Ontario communities.
Adelaide Metcalfe Mayor and Middlesex County Warden Sue Clarke was very happy with this project completion.
She added from a resident like herself that will benefit directly, she’s excited.
Deploying of the new fibre will be to thousands of premises across the region, including the Township of Adelaide-Metcalfe, Middlesex Centre, North Middlesex, Strathroy-Caradoc, Lucan-Biddulph and the city of London.
North Frontenac Telephone Company Vice President Grant Roughley says in partnership with the province, they are delivering world-class, symmetrical speeds exceeding 1 Gigabit, ensuring residents and businesses have the essential bandwidth to thrive in a modern economy.
He adds for over 65 years, NFTC has been dedicated to investing in and serving rural communities.
Through the Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program, Ontario has committed $1.92 billion across 80 projects to expand high-speed internet access to approximately 212,000 premises.
“Our government is continuing to make major progress on filling critical service gaps, which will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of residents, businesses, and visitors across Southwestern Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries. “Expanding reliable, high-speed internet is not a luxury – it is essential to daily life in today’s digital world. That’s why we’re making historic investments to fund the critical infrastructure that will help build a more connected and competitive Ontario, today and for decades to come.”
“In rural Ontario, connectivity means opportunity,” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-KentMiddlesex. “Expanding broadband access strengthens our local economy, ensuring families, farmers, and businesses across our community can stay connected and competitive.”
Written by: C. Soares