NEWMARKET, ON – The southern Ontario town of Newmarket has its own high-speed Internet service provider, known as Envi.
A standalone subsidiary of Newmarket Hydro Holdings and Tay Hydro, Envi will first roll out its Fibre-to-the-Premise network to the local business sector before building out into neighbourhoods, eventually covering the entire community of over 85,000 residents.
According to its website, Envi will offer Internet and “related services” first, and will likely roll out telephone and video on-demand in the future.
"Envi will start by providing internet service to Municipal, Universities, Schools and Hospitals (MUSH) and business sectors”, said Envi GM Jim Gragtmans, in the news release. “It will offer exceptional service, unparalleled service level agreements and competitive pricing. As a community-owned network, Envi is keeping revenues local and reinvesting back into the community it serves."
Newmarket has been working on a broadband strategy for the past four years as a key pillar of its economic development strategy, continues the release. Envi was created to support economic development, help drive the local economy, increase access to online services, better social inclusion and improve community learning.
"Just like roads, bridges and sidewalks, now more than ever, a reliable, affordable high-speed broadband network is a critical piece of infrastructure that will be a key factor in the success of our community," added Mayor Tony Van Bynen. "High speed broadband has the potential to open countless doors and create limitless possibilities for Newmarket."
