The provincial government is investing $150-million to expand broadband and cellular service in remote, and rural parts of Ontario, including the north.
Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott says the new ‘Improving Connectivity in Ontario program, when leveraged, has the potential to result in an investment of up to $500-million in total partner funding to improve connectivity.
Scott says they will start accepting applications from telecom companies, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits this summer.
The province will fund a portion of each approved project.
Premier Doug Ford says as many as 12% of households in the province are underserved or unserved.
“Reliable high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury, it’s an absolute essential part of our life. Internet connection is something that too many of us take for granted.”
