WYOMING, ON – Four First Nation communities in southwestern Ontario have become members of SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT).
The addition of Beausoleil First Nation, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Saugeen First Nation, and Six Nations of the Grand River means that SWIFT now represents the combined connectivity interests of over 1,500 member locations including First Nations, municipalities, hospitals, schools, school boards, and other large public and private enterprises across the region.
To overcome the region’s longstanding broadband infrastructure gaps, SWIFT is funding the construction of an affordable, open-access, ultra-high-speed fibre-optic regional broadband network in Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region. The first phase of the project is investing nearly $300 million in fibre-optic broadband infrastructure. It is the largest publicly funded, regional broadband initiative in Canada to date.
“Many of Ontario’s First Nation communities are still facing infrastructure barriers when it comes to Internet connectivity and broadband access,” said SWIFT CEO Geoff Hogan, in the news release. “To ensure that all Ontarians are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital age, it is important that the province of Ontario continues to invest in building this critical infrastructure until everyone is connected to an ultra-high speed, fibre optic broadband network.”
