Province helping to connect more unserved and underserved homes and businesses
NEWS August 5, 2022
[Windsor] – The Ontario government is bringing high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Tecumseh and Windsor, marking another milestone in its plan to help connect every corner of the province by the end of 2025.
“I thank Premier Ford, Minister Surma and the Ontario Government for this agreement that will bring reliable connectivity to hundreds of homes and businesses in Windsor—Tecumseh,” says Windsor—Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie. “This key investment supports the great work of the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology project and Tecumseh’s Rural Broadband Advisory Committee by ensuring that our residents and businesses have access to the tools needed to compete head-to-head on the world stage.”
“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 Windsor and Tecumseh. 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 that there are as many as 590 underserved homes and businesses in the municipalities of Windsor and Tecumseh. 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.
-30-
QUICK FACTS
- In 2021, Ontario passed the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021 to help speed up construction of broadband projects. To build upon this legislation, the Ontario government passed the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022 which further reduces barriers, duplication and delays.
- Expanding access to high-speed internet is part of Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government, which includes more than 30 projects that are changing the way people and businesses interact with government.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet Across the Province
- Ontario Connects: making high-speed internet accessible in every community
- Historic Investment Plan Ensures Access to High-Speed Internet for All
- Ontario Takes Next Step to Expand High-Speed Internet Access
- 2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build
- Ontario Builds map
MEDIA CONTACTS
Paul Synnott
Executive Assistant Andrew Dowie, MPP
Windsor-Tecumseh
Ph: 519-251-0437 Cell: 226-724-6978
Email: paul.synnott@pc.ola.org