“This competitive process is the first of its kind in Canada and has led to an unprecedented market response and commitment to deliver high-speed internet connections to communities that have been left underserved until now,” Michael Lindsay, president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, said in a news release.Article content
Communities, including those in Greater Napanee, Frontenac County and Addington Highlands will be served by Bell Canada, which has received $483.8 million in provincial funding. Xplornet will also be serving Frontenac, as well as the Frontenac Islands, Kingston, Loyalist, Perth and Westport, thanks to $240 million from the province.
Six other companies also received funding. Rogers Communications Canada Inc. received $171 million in provincial funding, North Frontenac Telephone Company received $39.5 million, Eh!tel Networks Inc. received $24.7 million, Community Network Partners received $150.0 million, Cogeco Connexion received $74.3 million, and Bragg Communication received $69 million from the province.Article content
The funding was provided through a two-stage competitive process and is part of the province’s investment of nearly $4 billion to bring reliable high-speed internet to rural communities. “Our government has made access to high-speed internet a priority for rural Ontario, and we’re delivering on that commitment,” Lisa Thompson, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said in a news release. “Access to high-speed internet will help build Ontario and strengthen communities by helping families stay in touch, enabling them to access the supports they need, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.