Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus awards contracts to connect 12,000 Households and Businesses to Eastern Ontario's Broadband Network

UNITED COUNTIES OF PRESCOTT AND RUSSELL, ON, Feb. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus has awarded Local Access Contracts that will provide more than 12,000 homes and businesses improved access to high-speed Internet across the South Nation zone, which spans the northern and central portions of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. The service will be available by fall 2012.

Contracts have been awarded to both Bell Aliant and Xplornet Communications Inc. that will extend high-speed access across the 1,200 square-kilometre area, expanding the reach of both companies existing networks. Bell Aliant will provide wired or DSL service to more densely populated areas, while Xplornet will extend access via wireless Internet using 17 existing structures and two newly built ones.

The combined solution will provide customers in communities like Bourget, Rockland, L'Orignal and Alfred with state-of-the-art technology, a wide range of options up to 16 Mbps, and competitive, urban pricing.

"We are extremely pleased to announce these contracts," said Mel Campbell, Chair of the EOWC. "We continue to make steady progress on our goal of expanding high-speed broadband Internet access across Eastern Ontario."

This is the sixth zone to be awarded contracts 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 is already underway and contracts have also been signed to deliver high-speed via satellite at improved pricing.

"With this contract, we've taken another important step towards the 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."

"We welcome this new infrastructure, which builds on the improved access already available in the southern part of the county," said United Counties of Prescott & Russell Warden, Francois St. Amour. "It will improve Internet access, offer greater choice to our local residents and businesses and support the success of our community."

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

Once up and running in fall 2012, a variety of service packages will be offered, ranging from 1.5 Mbps to up to 16 Mbps. These speeds will enable users to stream video and other innovative applications that will support various sectors, including business, health and education.

Disponible en français.

For further information:

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