MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Ont. — Rural broadband provider Xplornet Communications Inc. announced today it is starting construction to bring fibre-to-the-home Internet to 456 homes and businesses across Middlesex County in southwestern Ontario by September 2022.
The communities that will benefit from access to Xplornet’s gigabit-speed broadband service include Putnam, Crampton, Avon, Mossley, Harrietsville and Gladstone, says an Xplornet press release.
This $2.56 million project is partially funded through Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT), with the governments of Canada and Ontario each providing up to $604,000, according to a separate press release from the Ontario government.
SWIFT awarded the contract to Xplornet in March 2021.
“We’re pleased to see construction of new broadband infrastructure continuing to roll out in Middlesex County. To-date 4 out of the 7 SWIFT awarded high-speed internet projects have already begun construction within the County to bring residents greater access to fast, reliable internet service,” said Barry Field, SWIFT’s executive director, in the organization’s own press release.
“In partnership with our local and regional Internet Service Providers, we will continue to push to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet service within Middlesex County and throughout our project areas across Southwestern Ontario.”
The Xplornet broadband project “will service 36 kilometres of roadway with fibre-optic cabling in the southern part of the Municipality of Thames Centre between the communities of Putnam, Avon and Gladstone,” according to SWIFT’s press release.
“The main fibre route will run along parts of Putnam Road, Breen Road, Cromarty Drive, Elgin Road and Gladstone Drive to provide more homes and businesses within the area with access to high-speed internet,” the release says.
“Xplornet is proud to connect more residents and businesses to fast and reliable Internet as part of this collaboration with SWIFT,” said Allison Lenehan, Xplornet president and CEO, in SWIFT’s press release.
“As more Canadians turn online for work, school, and staying in touch with family and friends, we are committed to expanding our fibre network across the province to enable them to connect to what matters most.”
Photo supplied by Xplornet Communications.
