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Barry's
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Devolin Column
September 24, 2009
High Speed Internet for Everyone
Since first being elected in 2004, one of the most popular questions I get asked while out in rural areas is the timeline for high speed Internet being brought into small towns and hamlets. In fact, the availability of that service is even limited to many homes less than a kilometer from the boundaries of bigger communities.
That is why I was pleased to announce last month that the construction of a broadband network is a step closer in Eastern Ontario. The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario have together set aside up to $110 million for the project.
For those working on dial up Internet I’m sure this news has been a long time coming. Even those who currently have access to high speed Internet will eventually notice huge improvements in the speed of the system.
High-speed Internet access will help to connect all of our small and rural communities with the world. The construction of a broadband network in Eastern Ontario will help to expand and improve local businesses and their services, and significantly boost our regional economy
Construction is expected to begin next year. Eastern Ontario residents are expected to experience ongoing improvements in broadband access and speed starting in 2010 with full roll-out targeted for 2012.
The project has been given priority status to ensure the necessary work is completed with little delay once all requirements are met. It is anticipated that the build out of the project will take up to four years to complete.
Once completed, the network will provide broadband service to the residents and businesses in many of the counties of Eastern Ontario including Haliburton County, Peterbough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
It is expected that this project will be managed by the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), a proposed shared governance body whose operations will be overseen by the project proponent - Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus (EOWC) Incorporated. EORN is expected to own the key components of the final network, and its membership will consist of EOWC Inc., private sector carriers and broader public sector partners.
·By partnering with the Province of Ontario and Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Inc., this project exemplifies what our infrastructure programs are all about — contributing to Canada’s and Ontario’s long-term economic growth while building infrastructure that matters to Canadians in their communities.
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