One Million Metres and Counting: Northumberland Broadband Project Reaches Major Milestone

Pete Fisher
3 weeks ago
• Categories: City Hall, Local

The Northumberland Broadband Project has crossed a major milestone, marking a significant step toward bringing reliable high-speed internet to thousands of rural residents and businesses across the county.

More than one million metres of underground network conduit has now been installed as the ambitious county-wide broadband project shifts from the construction phase to connecting customers.

Led by Northumberland County and private-sector partner Axle Telecom, a subsidiary of Windsor Private Capital, the project is considered one of Ontario’s largest rural broadband infrastructure initiatives.

When completed later in 2026, more than 11,000 underserved and unserved homes and businesses, including properties throughout rural Northumberland County and Alderville First Nation, will have access to reliable high-speed internet service.

The project has received significant financial support from both senior levels of government, including $18.4 million from the Government of Canada through the Universal Broadband Fund and $45.8 million from the Province of Ontario.

Construction crews have already installed more than 600 kilometres of fibre optic cable inside the underground conduit network, with work now expanding to connect individual homes, farms and businesses. In some areas, residents are already beginning to receive service as portions of the network come online.

Over the coming months, Axle Telecom will continue contacting property owners to arrange free fibre connections from the roadside network directly to their properties. Once connected, residents can choose to subscribe to high-speed internet service.

County officials say improved connectivity will support everything from remote work and online education to virtual health care, agriculture, emergency services and small business operations.

The broadband initiative was launched after identifying that approximately one-third of Northumberland County households lacked adequate high-speed internet access. While the current project addresses most of those underserved areas, the County says it will continue pursuing additional funding and partnerships to reach the remaining properties not included in this phase.

Northumberland County also says expanding digital infrastructure remains a key priority as it works toward creating more resilient and connected rural communities.

The improved network is expected to enhance access to health care, education, agriculture, economic development and essential online services throughout the county.

Administrative Manager Dylan Hatherly of the Port Hope Veterinary Emergency Clinic said reliable internet has already improved how staff deliver emergency veterinary care.

“We can now communicate more effectively with clients, securely send and receive x-rays and lab reports, and access critical information without delays or interruptions. In an emergency veterinary setting, every minute matters.”

Northumberland–Peterborough South MPP David Piccini called the milestone “an exciting step forward,” crediting the partnership between governments and Axle Telecom for improving connectivity in rural communities.

Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate said the achievement reflects years of planning and collaboration.

“With over one million metres of conduit installed and fibre now extending across the county, we are moving rapidly from construction to connection.”

County officials say the ultimate goal remains ensuring that geography is no longer a barrier to reliable internet access and that every resident and business in Northumberland has the connectivity needed to fully participate in today’s digital economy.