Government Pledges $500 Million To Expand Rural Broadband Internet
SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT) welcomes the Government of Ontario’s
commitment to investing an additional $500 million, over three years, to expand broadband connectivity
in rural and northern communities. This commitment included up to $71 million towards improving
cellular coverage in eastern Ontario, and up to $20 million to support a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation project, which will help enable access to secure broadband services in rural and remote Ontario.
“We are pleased to see that the provincial budget has recognized broadband as an essential means by
which citizens and businesses access information, offer services and create opportunities,” said Gerry
Marshall, Board Chair at SWIFT. “We look forward to receiving additional details regarding this
investment so that we can better understand how the government plans to address the growing Internet
infrastructure needs of Ontario’s rural and remote communities.”
“We commend the provincial government’s continued commitment to invest in broadband infrastructure
and, improve connectivity in rural and urban communities,” said Geoff Hogan, Chief Executive Officer at
SWIFT. “We look forward to seeing the details in the upcoming provincial broadband strategy that will
hopefully have a plan to give all Ontario’s residents equitable access to the internet.”
SWIFT will continue to work with all levels of government and other stakeholder groups to maximize
broadband infrastructure investments until we have built a fully integrated, fibre optic network that
connects Southwestern Ontario, Caledon, and the Niagara Region to endless opportunities.
About the SWIFT Initiative
SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT) is a not-for-profit, collective broadband
initiative that is funding the construction of an affordable, open-access, ultra-high-speed fibre-optic
regional broadband network for everyone in Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region.
To overcome our region’s broadband infrastructure gaps, SWIFT has developed a long-term plan to
help more than 3.5 million Ontarians, or 25% of Ontario’s population, to connect and keep pace in a
changing digital world. The project is leveraging $180 million in combined investments by the federal
and provincial governments and over $17 million in investments by municipalities across the region.
SWIFT membership is open to any community or organization in southwestern Ontario that needs
connectivity to any of its locations. Members benefit from SWIFT’s significant procurement expertise,
including aggregated demand, negotiated rates, and support in preparing RFPs for broadband services.
As a buying group, SWIFT also ensures greater competition between telecom service providers which
will lead to better services at lower prices in member communities.Page 2 of 2
Help SWIFT build “broadband for everyone” by completing an Internet usage survey:
www.swiftnetwork.ca/survey
For more information about SWIFT, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 519-914-1308
