Lakeland Networks offering fastest Internet in Ontario

MUSKOKA, ON, March 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Starting this spring, businesses in Muskoka and Almaguin will be first in Ontario to experience the speed and advantages of 1 Gigabit (1GB) Internet service. Lakeland Networks will start rolling out the blazing fast Internet in April to present customers - including municipalities, schools, hospitals, police and businesses.

"This first of its kind offering gives business an advantage in a tough economic environment, while helping to attract new business opportunities for the local economy," says Chris Litschko, CEO, Lakeland Holding. "Everyone wins, and with Muskoka & Almaguin having easy access to the highway corridor, available real estate, and now the fastest Internet, we hope companies look to our area to host their business operations or new ventures," states Litschko.

Just how fast is it?
Delivered by fibre optics, 1GB service is over 50 times faster than the average data transfer speed in Canada, the average being under 20 Megabits per second (Mbps). Lakeland is taking the lead, and has recently upgraded its equipment to support this type of service offering to clients. To understand what it means to increase to 1 Gigabit speed, it helps to think about it compared to the speed of car travel.

• If you relate an Internet speed of 20 Mbps to a car speed in Km/h, your "car" would travel only 20 Km/h. With Lakeland Networks (1GB), your "car" would be able to travel 1,661 Km/h. As such, an average Internet speed "car" trip from Halifax to Vancouver would take over 12 days (non-stop). A Lakeland Networks fibre Internet Gig "car" would be able to do the same trip in just over 3 hours. This changes everything for business.

Companies that need to exchange large files will be able to complete tasks at least 50 times faster. Students will be able to interact with online classes in real-time no matter how complex the subject matter. Hospitals will be able to share diagnostic imaging with specialists to get answers faster than ever before possible.

About Lakeland Networks
Lakeland Networks, a division of Lakeland Energy Ltd., is a subsidiary of Lakeland Holding Ltd., which is owned by 5 local municipalities: Bracebridge, Huntsville, Burk's Falls, Sundridge and Magnetawan. Through Lakeland Holding Ltd., these municipalities also own Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd. (electricity distribution) and Bracebridge Generation (green waterpower electricity generation). Since 2007, Lakeland Networks has grown to own over 250 kilometers of fibre to support its mandate of creating a better economic environment for business.

Quick Facts:

• Muskoka-Almaguin will be first in Ontario to access 1Gb (there are 1 GB fibre offerings in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver).
• A gigabit (GB) per second equals 1000 megabits per second (Mbps).
• Lakeland Networks provides the fastest fibre service (up to 100Mbps) to its customers and will begin delivering 1GB in April.

Image with caption: "Lakeland Networks logo (CNW Group/Lakeland Networks)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140325_C6911_PHOTO_EN_38293.jpg

SOURCE: Lakeland Networks

Bill Gispen, Manager, Lakeland Networks
888-282-7711 ext 507
[email protected]
LakelandNetworks.com

Chris Litschko, CEO, Lakeland Holding Ltd.
888-282-7711 ext 224
[email protected]