ALNWICK/HALDIMAND TOWNSHIP, Ont. — Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) announced today the launch of a $1-million fibre-to-the-home project which will bring enhanced broadband access to Alnwick/Haldimand Township located in southern central Ontario.
ISP Algonquin Fiber has been selected to install more than 16 kilometres of fibre to connect 150 homes with high-speed Internet access (100 Mbps down/100 Mbps up) along Shelter Valley Road, Vernonville Road and east along Dudley Road to Purdy Corners. Algonquin Fiber will use micro-duct technology to provide FTTH services to residents very cost effectively, says CENGN’s press release.
The project is part of CENGN’s Rural Ontario Residential Broadband program and will serve “as a model for extending high-performance internet access services into areas with narrow, deep, and heavily treed valleys for other communities across the province,” says the press release.
Funding for the project includes up to $500,000 through CENGN’s rural residential broadband program and a matching contribution from Algonquin Fiber.
According to CENGN, the project’s promised benefits include:
- Small fibre count to reduce capital costs for rural applications.
- Lower installation cost through the use of small ducts which support blowing fibre instead of pulling the fibre.
- Future-proof high-capacity internet access services.
- Symmetrical 50/50 and 100/100 Mbps services for residents.
- Fast network deployment timeframe, with service rollout starting in the summer of 2021 and full service beginning in the fall of 2021.
“This project shows that rural fibre solutions can provide cost-effective solutions in valley areas where other technology solutions can be severely challenged,” said Jean-Charles Fahmy, president and CEO of CENGN. “By supporting and documenting Algonquin Fiber’s implementation of broadband internet services in the Shelter Valley Road area, we will gain a strong blueprint to help address the business and technological challenges of similar valley communities in rural Ontario and across the province.”
“Our company’s focus is to bring high-speed internet to those that really need it. Alnwick/Haldimand is a perfect example of an underserved community that will benefit greatly from our services. We look forward to working with the Alnwick/Haldimand community and the residents along Shelter Valley Road to offer them affordable and reliable broadband internet,” added Matthew Young, president of Algonquin Fiber.
This project is part of the Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), an Ontario government program being delivered through a partnership between CENGN and the Ontario Centre of Innovation. The Ontario government has committed $63.3 million over five years to the NGNP.
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