Construction begins on Internet mega-network

Administrator | Aug 31, 2010 | Comments 0

Video by Gerry Fraiberg, Vision and Voice Video Production. www.visionandvoice.ca

The go-ahead has been given to start a high-speed Internet infrastructure project to expand service to an estimated one million residents and businesses in Eastern Ontario.
“For business, large or small, home based or industry, for services such as E-health, online banking, for education from homework to research and for personal social networking, high speed connectivity is no longer a luxury of a few, but an absolute necessity for all our citizens,” said Daryl Kramp MP Prince Edward Hastings, at today’s press conference. “Personally, I can tell you it has taken countless meetings, over several years with many people, some of whom are gathered here to make today’s announcement a reality.”
Kramp made the announcement this morning with Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Carol Mitchell, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture and the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus at TrilliumWoods in Corbyville.
“Our government remains committed to deliver investments that help create jobs and build strong, sustainable communities now and for years to come,” said Strahl. “The construction of a broadband network in Eastern Ontario will help to expand and improve local businesses and their services, connect family and friends to one another, and significantly boost our regional economy.”
“Along with my colleagues from Eastern Ontario, I am thrilled to be part of the team that has championed access to high speed broadband for our region,” said Kramp. “This technology will provide tremendous benefits to our area and will allow us to compete not only regionally, but globally.”
“The McGuinty government is building partnerships that help bring vital health, education and business services to Ontarians living in rural and remote communities,” said Mitchell. “This large-scale broadband project co-ordinated by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus is a major achievement.”
“Providing broadband access to residents, businesses and First Nations communities is one of the keys to unlocking the enormous potential of our region. This network is essential to our prosperity,” said EOWC Chair, David Burton.
Bell Aliant and Bell Canada have been selected to complete the infrastructure project together for the homes and businesses of Eastern Ontario.
Chuck Hartlen, Senior Vice President of Customer Solutions, Bell Aliant said that “by building this core backbone fibre network and by using our extensive communications and technology expertise, we will be enabling access to faster, next generation broadband technology to 95 per cent of this Eastern Ontario region.”
“Our mission is to provide innovative broadband solutions to rural customers at work, home, and play,” said John Maduri, CEO of Barrett Xplore Inc. “We are proud to be working with EOWC, an organization that is as passionate about connecting rural Ontarians to high-speed Internet as we are.”
Through the Building Canada Fund – major infrastructure component, the governments of Canada and Ontario target larger, strategic projects of national and regional significance. Projects that support economic growth such as connectivity and broadband qualify for joint funding under this fund.