Connected Elgin

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Consultation has concluded

The need to improve high-speed internet connectivity throughout Elgin County was identified as a key priority in Elgin County Council’s Strategic Plan 2020-2022. As such a committee was formed to begin the conversation on how best to address the under and un-serviced areas of the County.

The goal of the committee is to address four primary challenges:

Availability: Many areas of Elgin County lack any form of connectivity. Providing households with access to the internet is key to providing opportunities such as employment, education, e-commerce and entertainment

Affordability: Households in areas of Elgin County struggle to afford the monthly costs of internet services available to them. Affordable connectivity is critical for users to be able to use the internet service that support the required applications and online services they depend on.

Speed: Lack of high-speed internet creates barriers for residents working from home, schooling from home and gaining access to services such as banking, news and entertainment. Businesses without access to high-speed internet face challenges that inhibit economic growth and online opportunities that would otherwise be available to them.

Awareness: Providing a mechanism for education and learning is key for residents to make good decisions and get the most out of their digital experience.

The County engaged a consulting firm to provide an analysis of current state and provide recommendations for future state.

Input from the community regarding current internet access, usage and feasibility provides a holistic view of the current situation and allows for attention to be focused on areas of greatest concern. Public involvement and participation are key to the success of this project and will ensure that The County continues to focus on addressing the needs of the community.

The need to improve high-speed internet connectivity throughout Elgin County was identified as a key priority in Elgin County Council’s Strategic Plan 2020-2022. As such a committee was formed to begin the conversation on how best to address the under and un-serviced areas of the County.

The goal of the committee is to address four primary challenges:

Availability: Many areas of Elgin County lack any form of connectivity. Providing households with access to the internet is key to providing opportunities such as employment, education, e-commerce and entertainment

Affordability: Households in areas of Elgin County struggle to afford the monthly costs of internet services available to them. Affordable connectivity is critical for users to be able to use the internet service that support the required applications and online services they depend on.

Speed: Lack of high-speed internet creates barriers for residents working from home, schooling from home and gaining access to services such as banking, news and entertainment. Businesses without access to high-speed internet face challenges that inhibit economic growth and online opportunities that would otherwise be available to them.

Awareness: Providing a mechanism for education and learning is key for residents to make good decisions and get the most out of their digital experience.

The County engaged a consulting firm to provide an analysis of current state and provide recommendations for future state.

Input from the community regarding current internet access, usage and feasibility provides a holistic view of the current situation and allows for attention to be focused on areas of greatest concern. Public involvement and participation are key to the success of this project and will ensure that The County continues to focus on addressing the needs of the community.

Consultation has concluded

  • SWIFT Broadband Projects Start Construction In Elgin County To Bring High-Speed Internet To 1,100 Homes

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    On August 26th, Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc (SWIFT) announced fast reliable internet connectivity will soon be available to more homes and businesses in #ElginCounty, as the regional broadband program marks the start of construction on two high-speed projects that will expand broadband service to an additional 1,132 locations throughout the Municipality of West Elgin, The Municipality of Dutton Dunwich and the Township of Southwold


    To read the full article, please visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3TsYy9h

  • Accelerated High Speed Internet Program (AHSIP) - Update

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    On August 4th, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Broadband Strategy Division, provided correspondence to the County of Elgin about the Accelerated High Speed Internet Program (AHSIP). This correspondence announced that the Provincial government is bringing 266,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses access to high-speed internet. Moreover, it stated that areas of Elgin County are included in this project, and more specific project areas are still being finalized. Once this information has been publicly announced, Elgin County will inform the public of these areas.

    For more information, please visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3LLF50b

  • Xplornet to Connect Elgin County Homes and Businesses to Fibre Internet

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    Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada’s largest rural-focused broadband provider, announced today that it will bring fibre Internet to 71 rural municipalities across Ontario and fibre-powered 5G wireless broadband to another 27 rural municipalities. Nearly 55,000 homes and businesses in eastern, central and southwestern Ontario will gain access to fast broadband speeds to connect to what matters in the digital world.

    We are happy to note that areas within each of Elgin's seven municipalities will be included in this project. For the full article, please click here.

  • County Council Approves Connectivity Advocacy Plan

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    At its meeting on February 22, 2022, Elgin County Council supported the Connectivity Committee’s recommendation to leverage existing staff resources and the Connectivity Committee to support Option #1 as presented in the final report from IBI Group Inc. titled “Internet Connectivity and Broadband Analysis, Assessment, and Proposed Solutions” (IBI Report). As detailed in the IBI Report, Option #1 recommends support for Advocacy, Strategic Purchasing and ISP Coordination. County Council approved the Connectivity Advocacy Plan at its July 26, 2022 meeting as recommended by the Connectivity Committee at its July 20 meeting. The Committee and an interdepartmental staff team will implement the Plan and further updates will be posted on this page.

  • Affordable high-speed Internet for low-income seniors and families

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    Affordable high-speed Internet for low-income seniors and families

    From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

    News release

    August 11, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario


    Now more than ever, Canadians need access to reliable Internet, yet many struggle to pay for it. Through the Connecting Families initiative, the Government of Canada is supporting affordable Internet service for those who need it most.

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors, announced the second phase of Connecting Families, which will help connect hundreds of thousands of low-income seniors and families to affordable high-speed home Internet in 2022.

    Connecting Families 2.0 is introducing significantly faster speeds and increasing the data usage amount. At 50/10 megabits per second (Mbps), the download and upload speeds will be five and ten times faster respectively than Connecting Families 1.0, with 200 GB of data usage for $20 a month. This new phase will also broaden eligibility from families receiving the maximum Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to include low-income seniors. The previous Internet plan offering under Connecting Families 1.0 will also remain available. Access Communications, Bell Canada, Cogeco, CSUR, Hay Communications, Mornington, Novus, Rogers, SaskTel, Tbaytel, TELUS, Vidéotron and Westman Communications are all participating in offering improved Internet quality, coverage and price to eligible Canadians.

    The Government of Canada announced Connecting Families 1.0 in Budget 2017—an investment of $13.2 million over five years to help close gaps in Internet affordability and accessibility. This funding enabled the government to partner with Computers for Success Canada to provide computers to low-income Canadians at no cost through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s long-standing Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program, and to develop a secure online portal through which eligible Canadian families could access low-cost Internet service packages from Internet service providers that voluntarily participated without government subsidy. Over 75,000 families have benefited to date.

    The Connecting Families initiative aligns with Canada’s Digital Charter, a principles-based approach to building trust in the digital world. The first principle of the Charter is focused on ensuring that all Canadians have equal opportunity to participate in the digital world and the necessary tools to do so, including access, connectivity, literacy and skills.

    Quotes

    “Being connected is important to maintain professional, social, economic and cultural networks within the digital economy. However, many low-income Canadians are still facing barriers that prevent their full participation in the economy. By working with Internet service providers across the country, we are increasing accessibility and providing all Canadians with affordable and reliable Internet.”

    - The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

    “Seniors depend on the Internet to stay in touch and access vital services. Providing low-income seniors with affordable access to high-speed Internet service will make a tremendous difference in their everyday lives. We’re grateful to leading Internet service providers for their partnership in making the Internet more accessible to all Canadians.”

    - The Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors

    Quick facts

    • The government is pleased to be partnering on Connecting Families with Access Communications, Bell Canada, Cogeco, CSUR, Hay Communications, Mornington, Novus, Rogers, SaskTel, Tbaytel, TELUS, Vidéotron and Westman Communications.
    • With Connecting Families 2.0, eligible participants will have an added Internet offering: 50 Mbps download speeds (or if less than 50 Mbps, the fastest speed available to households in that region) and 200 GB of data usage each month at the discounted rate. No equipment or installation fees will be applied.
    • Eligible households will receive a letter from the Government of Canada. This letter will contain an access code that is needed to sign up for Connecting Families through a secure online portal. The access code will be valid for the entire duration of the initiative, provided the household continues to be eligible. However, access to the discounted Internet offering or a computer will depend on availability.
    • Today’s announcement builds on several other steps the government has taken to improve telecom services for Canadians, including the historic ENCQOR 5G partnership for next-generation technology, the Connect to Innovate program, the $2.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund and the CRTC’s $750-million Broadband Fund.