Local Access Contract Improves Broadband Access to 33,000 Thousand Islands Homes and Businesses

UNITED COUNTIES OF LEEDS AND GRENVILLE, Frontenac County, June 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) has awarded a Local Access Contract that will improve access to high-speed Internet to more than 33,000 homes and businesses in the Thousand Island regions of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Frontenac County. The service will be available in fall of 2013.

As part of the contract, Xplornet Communications Inc. will build a wireless network which will give a substantial portion of the 3,200-square kilometre region access to speeds of up to 10 Mbps. These speeds enable users to stream video and use other innovative applications. Xplornet will leverage existing sites and more than a dozen new sites to create a comprehensive wireless network.

"We continue to make steady progress on our goal of expanding high-speed broadband Internet access across Eastern Ontario," said Mel Campbell, Chair of the EOWC.  "Connecting to the Internet with higher speeds will open new doors for our communities in terms of quality of life and economic growth."

In all, nearly two dozen local access contracts will be awarded to deliver high-speed Internet through wired and fixed wireless services as part of the Eastern Ontario regional broadband project. The $170 million project is funded by federal, provincial and municipal governments and private sector investment. Work to build a massive, 5,500-km fibre optic network, including laying more than 400 kilometres of new cable, is nearing completion.

"It is gratifying to see this regional broadband network grow. This is another important step towards providing the improved access that will help our residents and businesses to prosper," added Dave Burton, Chair of Eastern Ontario Regional Network Inc. (EORN).

EORN is a not-for-profit organization established by the EOWC to manage all contracts awarded as part of the project.

Disponible en français.

Lisa Severson, Communications & Stakeholder Relations Officer, EORN
613-213-8520, [email protected]