Province helping to connect more unserved and underserved homes and businesses
The Ontario government is bringing highspeed internet access to unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, marking another milestone in its plan to help connect every corner of the province by the end of 2025.
“Too many households and businesses across rural Ontario do not have dependable access to high-speed internet. I have long been an advocate for increasing access to broadband and reliable cellphone service here in Eastern Ontario. This announcement will really go a long way in approving connectivity throughout our region. Our government has a plan to build a bright future for Eastern Ontarians with shovels in the ground for highways, hospitals, housing and high-speed internet infrastructure,” said MPP Steve Clark for LeedsGrenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “Our government is ensuring every community in Ontario has access to reliable high-speed internet,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “We are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families in areas such as LeedsGrenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes through our tremendous progress, more Ontarians will be able to have access to reliable high-speed internet no matter where they live.”
The government estimates there to be more than 5,160 underserved homes and businesses Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. Following a two stage competitive process, Xplornet Communications Inc. has signed an agreement with the province to bring high-speed internet access to homes and businesses. In total, the province has signed agreements with eight internet service providers to bring access to up to 266,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in as many as 339 municipalities across Ontario.
Today’s announcement is part of Ontario’s historic investment of nearly $4 billion to bring access to reliable high-speed internet across the province, which will help ensure that every home and business, in every community, can participate in today’s economy.
