MUSKOKA, ON – Businesses in Muskoka and Almaguin will be among the first in Ontario to experience the speed and advantages of 1 Gigabit (1GB) Internet service, courtesy of Lakeland Networks.
Delivered by fibre optics, 1GB service is over 50 times faster than the average data transfer speed of under 20 Mbps in Canada (a GB per second is equal to 1000 Mbps). While there are 1GB fibre offerings in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Lakeland is one of the first to offer it in Ontario (Ed note: Cable Cable in Fenelon Falls has been providing 1GB fibre connectivity to public sector and private sector businesses since 2004. An earlier version of this story said Lakeland Networks was the first to offer it in Ontario. Cartt.ca regrets the omission.)
Lakeland said that it will begin rolling out 1GB service to present customers – including municipalities, schools, hospitals, police and businesses – starting in April.
"This first of its kind offering gives business an advantage in a tough economic environment, while helping to attract new business opportunities for the local economy," said Lakeland Holding CEO Chris Litschko, in the press release. "Everyone wins, and with Muskoka & Almaguin having easy access to the highway corridor, available real estate, and now the fastest Internet, we hope companies look to our area to host their business operations or new ventures."
A division of Lakeland Energy Ltd., Lakeland Networks is a subsidiary of Lakeland Holding Ltd., which is owned by the local municipalities of Bracebridge, Huntsville, Burk's Falls, Sundridge and Magnetawan. Through Lakeland Holding Ltd., these municipalities also own Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd. (electricity distribution) and Bracebridge Generation (green waterpower electricity generation). Since 2007, Lakeland Networks has grown to own over 250 kilometers of fibre to support its mandate of creating a better economic environment for business.
