A major rural internet upgrade is underway, bringing fast, reliable broadband access to thousands of homes and businesses across Northumberland County with the first customers anticipated to be receiving service by June.
The multi-million dollar project, led by Northumberland County and supported by the federal Universal Broadband Fund, Ontario’s ICON Program, and private investment, will connect over 11,000 previously unserved or underserved locations to fibre-optic internet by the end of this year.
Fibre-optic cable is critical to internet infrastructure because it transmits data as light, allowing for much faster speeds and greater bandwidth than traditional copper cables. It also supports long-distance communication with minimal signal loss, making it ideal for high-speed, reliable internet connections.
Northumberland County’s Dan Borrowec tells us more.
Axle Telecom, a Canadian-owned internet provider, is building the 1,125-kilometre network and will offer service once connections are complete. Residents will not pay to run fibre from the main line to their property – installation is fully covered through the public-private partnership.
Northumberland County’s TJ Flynn shares some insights on the timeline.
The installation process will happen in three phases:
Phase 1: Axle Telecom begins network construction in road allowances.
Phase 2: Residents receive consent forms allowing fibre to be installed to their home or business. Signing the form doesn’t mean you have to subscribe, but ensures future access.
Phase 3: Once the network is live, residents can sign up for plans with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Flynn has this advice for residents considering being connected.
Benefits include improved remote work and education, smart agriculture, telemedicine, and better access to streaming and online services.
According to Northumberland County’s Dan Borrowec this is game changing.
Residents can expect updates by mail and online, as well as direct contact from Axle Telecom representatives.
Visit AxleTelecom.ca or call 1-844-702-2848 for more information.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
