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Eastern Ontario residents to benefit from improved cellular broadband and connectivityOTTAWA, July 4, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians understand the importance of creating successful, sustainable communities and investing in ways to connect with each other in our increasingly digital world. Connectivity is key to supporting economic growth in rural communities and improving opportunities for all Canadian families. Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development announced joint funding for the Eastern Ontario Regional Network's (EORN) mobile broadband project. Phase 1 of the project involves building 317 new telecommunications towers and an additional 32 local Internet access points to improve overall mobile coverage for residents of Eastern Ontario. Phase 2 will identify the capacity gaps that result from heavy user-traffic, upgrade equipment to reduce network overloads, and improve service quality in rural communities. Once completed, the project will improve mobile coverage for over 1.1 million residents in 102 communities in Eastern Ontario. The new network will allow businesses to grow and reach new markets, with a potential to create more than 3,000 full time jobs over ten years. For residents and families, extended mobile coverage means better access to mobile applications on a smartphone or tablet. The improved connectivity will also make it easier for people in remote areas to call for help in emergency situations. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $71 million to this project under the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan. The Government of Ontario will provide $71 million and the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus will provide $10 million towards the project, with private partners providing the rest of the funding. Quotes "Broadband Internet and increased access to mobile services supports economic growth and is key for the long-term prosperity of rural Canadian communities. This project will allow Eastern Ontario rural municipalities to be better connected and ensure that residents have improved access to online services and tools whether at home or on the road." The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development "EORN is building on the investment we've already made in broadband infrastructure across the region to close the gap in mobile services and improve economic growth, quality of life and public safety. We welcome and appreciate the support of the federal government for this project. Combined with provincial and municipal funding, we can now proceed with the next steps to make improved connectivity a reality for our region." J. Murray Jones, Chair, Eastern Ontario Regional Network "The demand for mobile broadband is growing exponentially, but our region is deeply lacking the needed infrastructure to keep up. This project is our top priority because Eastern Ontario's economic future is at stake. We are so pleased that the federal government is joining with the province and municipal government to make this project a reality." Andy Letham, Chair, Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus Quick facts
Backgrounder Eastern Ontario residents will benefit from improved cellular broadband and connectivity The Eastern Ontario Regional Network' project aims to improve mobile coverage and increase the networks capacity to ensure rural communities in Eastern Ontario have access to better mobile network services. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $71 million to this project under the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan. The Government of Ontario will provide $71 million and the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus will provide $10 million towards the project, with private partners providing the rest of the funding. The Eastern Ontario Regional Network project will benefit the following areas: City of Kawartha Lakes Frontenac County
Haliburton County
Hastings County
Lanark County
Lennox and Addington County
Northumberland County
County of Peterborough
Prince Edward County Renfrew County
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
United Counties of Prescott-Russell
United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
Separated Municipalities
Associated links Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/on-eng.html Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: Rural Economic Development Strategy: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural/strat-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada |