Province leveraging up to $500 million to help connect residents and businesses to the 21st century digital economy
The Government of Ontario has announced an investment of $150 million to address much needed broadband infrastructure across unserved and underserved regions of the province.
This investment looks to connect more residents and businesses in Northumberland – Peterborough South to reliable broadband and cellular service.
The Improving Connectivity in Ontario, or ICON, has the potential to leverage up to $500 million in total partner funding.
“I have heard from many of my constituents, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges they face in staying connected with limited to access to cellular and broadband connectivity,” said MPP Piccini. “I am proud to see our government announcing this significant investment to bring the people of Northumberland – Peterborough South one step closer to more reliable connectivity.
The ICON program opens its initial intake later this month, applicants like telecom companies, municipal governments, Indigenous communities and non-profits will be invited to submit innovative proposals to lend their investment, expertise and experience to improve connectivity in communities across Ontario. The province will fund a portion of each approved project.
“Now more than ever before, our government recognizes that the people of Ontario need to be connected to learn, work, and run their businesses. This program is an important step toward bridging the digital divide,” said MPP Piccini.
The Improving Connectivity in Ontario program is part of Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan, which includes $315 million to improve and expand cellular service and broadband in rural and remote communities across Ontario. In the span of a year, Ontario has advanced initiatives to improve access to broadband and cellular service across eastern, western and northern Ontario. All of these initiatives are expected to generate more than $1 billion in investments over five years.
QUICK FACTS
· As much as 12 per cent of households in Ontario – mostly in rural, remote or northern areas – are underserved or unserved, according to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
· In the past several months, Ontario has partnered with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) to leverage $213 million to improve access to cellular and mobile broadband in eastern Ontario.
· Ontario committed $71 million to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s (EORN) project to virtually eliminate coverage gaps in the region. The public-private initiative requires contributions from the federal government as well private sector and municipal partners. Total value of the project is estimated at $213 million and is expected to generate up to 3,000 jobs over 10 years and potential revenues of $420 million.
· Ontario has invested in initiatives to improve connectivity in northern Ontario, such as a project that will connect five remote Matawa-member First Nation communities, and investments in broadband projects through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Next Generation Network Program.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
