SWIFT brings more high-speed internet access to Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – Today Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) announced funding to expand fibre-optic broadband services in rural areas of Waterloo Region. This will bring high-speed internet access to more than 1,000 underserved homes and businesses.

SWIFT, in partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, has awarded $11.6 million to support five fibre-to-the-home projects to bring improved high-speed internet to Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot and North Dumfries.

“Modern internet infrastructure is more important than ever for all Regional residents,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Whether it’s for a home business, people working at home or online education, increased access to broadband will help with economic recovery now and provide more opportunities for growth into the future.”

The Region signed on to be a funding partner in 2017 for $2.2 million, joining 20 other municipalities in all. SWIFT has awarded $7.8 million in federal and provincial funding to support five projects that will collectively service130 kilometres of rural underserved roadway within the region. In total the Region of Waterloo will receive $11.6 million in broadband upgrades, including more than $3.8 million in contributions from the internet service providers.

“Everyone deserves quality connectivity no matter where they live,” said Regional Council’s SWIFT Board representative, Councillor Sue Foxton. “We appreciate the efforts of our partners at SWIFT to support the online needs of our families and businesses in our rural townships.”

SWIFT has awarded five contracts between: North Frontenac Telephone Corporation Limited (2); Bell Canada(1); EH!tel Networks (1); and Rogers Communications(1). Each project is unique and therefore have different completion/service availability dates. However, all projects are currently scheduled to be completed by August 2022. Some will be done as early as March 2022.

Regional residents can visit the online interactive service map to see if they are in a SWIFT funded coverage area.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

TJ Flynn, ActingDirector, Corporate Communications Region of Waterloo

email TFlynn@regionofwaterloo.ca