ARRIS, Ont.– After receiving cash from SWIFT earlier this year to launch broadband service in Arris (in Wellington County, just north of Guelph), independent operator EH!tel launched service in the rural region today.
It is the first area to receive access to high-speed internet as part of Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology’s broadband expansion efforts, says the press release.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for SWIFT as we continue to drive forward with our deployment plans and deliver on our commitment to expand broadband access across Southwestern Ontario,” said SWIFT chair David Mayberry, in a press release. “Moving forward there is still work that needs to be done to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet across the region, but today’s announcement brings us one step closer to closing that digital divide. We are proud of this achievement and are grateful for the ongoing support we have received from the Government of Ontario and Canada, as well as from our municipal partners, that have made this infrastructure investment possible.”
EH!tel (Holstein, Ont.) will deliver broadband to more than 650 homes and businesses in the Ariss, Ponsonby and Inverhaugh area, deploying fibre and wireless technology.
Construction of the $2.6 million broadband infrastructure project began in April.
“The hard work and dedication the SWIFT team has put into their broadband initiative is a large step forward in bridging the digital divide for our rural friends and neighbors,” said Antonius Peeters, CEO of EH!tel, in the press release. “As technology continues to evolve, broadband capacity is now and will continue to be, an essential service. A point in fact brought strongly to the forefront in our local community, our country and indeed the entire world with the restrictions placed on individuals and families due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.”
Coverage throughout the remaining project area will continue to improve as work is now underway in portions of Inverhaugh and Ponsonby with construction expected to be completed and services fully available by mid-2021.
www.ehtel.ca
www.swiftruralbroadband.ca
Pictured above, left to right are MPP Randy Pettapiece (Perth—Wellington), George Bridge (Wellington County Councillor and SWIFT board member), Erine Hardeman (Minister of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs), Chris White (Wellington County Councillor), Barry Field (SWIFT, executive director), Antonius Peeters (CEO, EH!tel), Wendy Peeters (EH!tel) and MPP Ted Arnott (Wellington-Halton Hills).
Photo courtesy of SWIFT.
