Province Helping to Connect More Unserved and Underserved Homes and Businesses
A News Release from the Government of Ontario
Posted August 13th, 2022 on Niagara At Large
BEAMSVILLE – The Ontario government is bringing high-speed Internet access to unserved and underserved homes and businesses in rural areas of Grimsby, Lincoln, Pelham, St. Catharines and West Lincoln in Niagara West, marking another key milestone in the plan to connect every corner of the province by the end of 2025.
“We know reliable Internet access is a gateway to growth in rural Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This expansion of rural broadband in West Niagara through the Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program (AHSIP) will connect more families and businesses to high-speed Internet. I know constituents in Niagara West will gladly welcome the new reverse auction projects.”
“Our government is ensuring every community in Ontario has access to reliable high-speed Internet,” said Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure.
“We are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families in areas such as Niagara. 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 630 underserved homes and businesses in rural areas of Grimsby, Lincoln, Pelham, St. Catharines and West Lincoln.
Following a two-stage competitive process, Bell Canada and Rogers Communications have signed an agreement with the province to bring high-speed Internet access to additional homes and businesses in Niagara West. 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 (August 12th) 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.
Quick Facts
* The Ontario government has committed over $950 million to nearly 190 broadband, cellular and satellite projects to date, bringing faster internet access to over 375,000 homes and businesses across the province, and significantly improving cellular connectivity throughout Eastern Ontario.
* In 2021, Ontario passed the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021<https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/60546/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<https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-2/bill-93> 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<https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-onwards-action-plan>, which includes more than 30 projects that are changing the way people and businesses interact with government.
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