Local Access Contract Will Connect More Cottage Country Households and Businesses to Eastern Ontario's Broadband Network

HASTINGS COUNTY, ON, June 18, 2012 /CNW/ - The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) has awarded a Local Access Contract that will improve access to high-speed Internet for about 9,000 homes and businesses in northern Hastings County. The service will be available in fall of 2013.

As part of the contract, Bell Aliant will provide a wired DSL solution that will expand broadband access using 77 kilometres of new fibre and 21 new Internet access points.  It will provide services will range from 2 Mbps to up to 16 Mbps, depending on the customer location and proximity to the access points.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this contract," said Mel Campbell, Chair of the EOWC.  "This contract will help improve wired access in an area that was previously underserved because it has such low population density."

Satellite services will provide the balance of high-speed coverage in the area. Satellite access remains the best fit technology for very sparsely populated areas or regions with difficult terrain. Contracts have already been signed to deliver high-speed via satellite at improved pricing across Eastern Ontario.

In all, 22 local access contracts will be awarded in 15 zones 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.

"We are making excellent progress in building a new regional network that will allow our residents and businesses to prosper," added Dave Burton, Chair of Eastern Ontario Regional Network Inc., (EORN). "Connecting to the Internet with higher speeds will open new doors for our communities in terms of quality of life and economic growth."

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]