Local Access Contract will Connect 31,000 Households and Businesses to Eastern Ontario's Broadband Network

RENFREW COUNTY, ON, June 18, 2012 /CNW/ - The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus has awarded a Local Access Contract that will provide nearly 31,000 homes and businesses access to high-speed Internet across a region that stretches through the northern Ottawa Valley and covers much of eastern Renfrew County. The service will be available in fall 2013.

As part of the contract, Bell Aliant will provide a wired DSL solution that will expand broadband access in this large region spanning about 4,000 square kilometres and including communities such as Deep River, Pembroke, Renfrew and Arnprior.

Bell Aliant's network will rely on 65 kilometres of new fibre optic cable and two dozen remote access points to extend high-speed service. It will provide services ranging from 1.5 Mbps to up to 16 Mbps, depending on the customer location. These speeds will enable users to stream video and other innovative applications that will support various sectors, including business, health and education.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this contract," said Mel Campbell, Chair of the EOWC.  "This contract will improve wired access in an area that was previously underserved because it has such low population density."

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.

In all, 22 local access contracts will be awarded in 15 zones 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 5,500-km fibre optic network, including laying 400 kilometres of new cable, is already well 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).

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

Disponible en français.

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