Local Access Contract will Connect 14,000 Households and Businesses to Eastern Ontario's Broadband Network

RENFREW COUNTY, HASTINGS COUNTY, LENNOX & ADDINGTON COUNTY, ON, Feb. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus has awarded a Local Access Contract that will provide nearly 14,000 homes and businesses access to high-speed Internet across a region that includes southwestern portions of Renfrew County, northwestern parts of Frontenac County and a small portion of Lennox & Addington County. The service will be available in early 2013.

As part of the contract, Bell Aliant will provide a wired (DSL) solution that will expand broadband access in this large region spanning some 3,800 square kilometres.

Bell Aliant's network will rely on nine of the new "Points of Presence" (PoPs) within the zone. It will provide services ranging from 1.5 Mbps to up to 16 Mbps, depending on the customer location.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this contract," said Mel Campbell, Chair of the EOWC.  "This contract will improves access to wired high-speed Internet to communities across three counties, including residents of the First Nations community of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan."

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.

This is the fifth of several contracts that will be awarded 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.

"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.

Once up and running in early 2013, 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.

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