Officials with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus are hopeful that the provincial government’s $4 billion investment to expand high speed internet will result in greater connectivity for rural regions.
Ontario Connects is aiming to connect every home, community and area to high speed internet by the end of 2025 by providing direct funding to Internet Service Providers who will be selected to serve different geographic regions.
While EORN has obtained federal and provincial funding to help with a $300 million Cell Gap Project to improve cell service coverage, it is still working on getting funding for its regional broadband project.
The Gig Project would deliver broadband speeds of one gigabit resulting in ultra fast internet to at least 95% of the region.
EORN chair J. Murray Jones says their organization is prepared to lend its expertise to deliver the Gig Project in support of the government’s commitment to connect 100% of eastern Ontarians.
