High Speed Internet is About to Get a Whole Lot Better in Rural Oxford

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Thursday, 15 October 2020 13:00

SWIFT announced major funding today to bring high speed internet access to 1,670 underserviced homes and businesses in the Townships of Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford and Zorra.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology or SWIFT announced funding today to expand fibre optic broadband services in Oxford County.

This money will bring high speed Internet access to 1,670 underserviced homes and businesses within the Townships of Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford and Zorra.

SWIFT Board Chair David Mayberry says this is great news by rural residents.

"Increased access to broadband services is essential for the economic recovery and future growth of our region. The broadband investments being announced today in Oxford County will have long-term positive impacts throughout the County and will further support online learning, increase work-from-home opportunities and unlock greater economic growth potential for businesses."

SWIFT, in partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, has awarded $5.3 million to support seven fibre-to-the-home projects to bring improved high-speed Internet to 22 communities across Oxford County. Warden Larry Martin says in total the County will receive $9.9 million in broadband upgrades, including $4.6 million in contributions from the Internet service providers.

"The Internet has been a lifeline for many during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more people working and learning from home, the need for reliable high-speed Internet has never been greater. We appreciate the efforts of our partners at SWIFT to support the online needs of our families and businesses in Oxford County."

SWIFT has signed an agreement with Quadro Communications to deploy fibre cabling along more than 106 kilometres of underserved roadway within the Township of Zorra to deliver high-speed Internet to 326 businesses and homes. General Manager of Quadro Communications says construction of the $5.2 million fibre-to-the-home solution is expected to be completed with service available late-2022.

"Quadro is pleased to have been awarded this funding from SWIFT, in the County of Oxford, for our Township of Zorra project. It has become imperative that all communities have access to reliable high-speed Internet as evidenced by the need for Internet services in today's world. This project when completed will provide the services needed for today and will future proof these customers as requirements change. Quadro is dedicated to continuing our mission by enriching our customers experience with personal service and innovative products."

Rogers Communications will receive funding to deploy fibre-optic cabling along more than 15 kilometres of underserviced roads in the Township of Blandford-Blenheim. The $1.5 million fibre-to-the-home network will deliver high-speed connectivity to 484 households and businesses by early-2022.

Execulink Telecom has been awarded funding to support five fibre-to-the-home projects. The newly awarded projects will collectively service 68 kilometres of underserved roadway through out the County to bring high-speed Internet to 860 homes and businesses within the Townships of East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford and Zorra. President and CEO of Execulink Ian Stevens says the projects represent a collective total investment of approximately $3.2 million and will be completed with service available between mid-to-late 2022.

"At Execulink, we're proud to provide the awesome telecom experience our local communities deserve and are grateful to SWIFT for allowing us to expand and enhance the experience for our customers. Reliable, fast Internet has never been more important and, with SWIFT, we're able to ensure more people have access to the services they need."

The newly announced projects are part of SWIFT's $209 million broadband expansion plan that aims to bring better broadband access to approximately 50,000 underserved homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario.