Wellington rural internet service gets funding boost

Ultra-high speed rural internet in Wellington County will be hooked up with a mix of federal and provincial funding in a project announced Friday.

On July 26, the provincial and federal government announced $180 milliontoward the project, tohelp areas outside large urban centres move from the age of dial-up. On Friday, it became clear that Wellington County would be included in the plan.

• Governments spend $180M on high-speed Internet in Ontario
• Rural and remote places need high-speed internet to compete, Chamber says

The investment part of the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology project, or SWIFT, which allows for access to broadband and fibre optic coverage for approximately 3.5 million people in 300 rural communities across the province.

"Rural communities in southwestern Ontario have limited access to high speed internet, so I am pleased that Ontario is partnering with Canada and SWIFT to bring fibre optic coverage to small communities in Wellington County," said Guelph MPP Liz Sandals.

"High speed access will increase opportunities for economic development and education in rural Ontario."

High speed good for economy

Allan O'Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce says high speed internet is fundamental to advancing the province's economic interests.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, a 10 per cent increase in household broadband penetration could accelerate economic growth by up to 1.5 per cent.

Construction on the SWIFT project started this year and is expected to be completed by 2020.