Wellington County residents receive first high-speed internet connections

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Customers in Wellington County are the first to receive high-speed internet through the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project.

SWIFT is a not-for-profit corporation to improve internet connectivity in underserved and rural areas in southwestern Ontario.

David Mayberry, SWIFT board chair, called this announcement a significant milestone.

“Moving forward there is still work that needs to be done to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet across the region, but today’s announcement brings us one step closer to closing that digital divide,” Mayberry said in a press release.

“We are proud of this achievement and are grateful for the ongoing support we have received from the Government of Ontario and Canada, as well as from our municipal partners that have made this infrastructure investment possible.”

Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, called high-speed internet a necessity and not a luxury as it once was.

“Far too many families and businesses in our community are frustrated because they don’t have a reliable internet connection,” Hardeman said in a press release. “Our government’s investment in Wellington County will help connect them and create new opportunities.”

These customers are part of the ongoing infrastructure network being built by EH!tel Networks between Ariss and Elora in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. 

This project is valued at more than $2.6 million with $900,000 invested from the federal and provincial governments. Eh!tel started this project in April and are rolling out to bring customers online in a phased approach, starting in Ariss.

In a phone call, Guelph/Eramosa mayor Chris White said the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus had been working on this for 10 years and he was pleased to see this rolling out in the township.

“It’s moving out fairly quickly now, we weren’t sure when they were going to start building and I’m very pleased to see this,” White said. 

White echoed the sentiment that the internet is now an essential service that is necessary to expand in rural areas.

“I think the COVID has more than amply proved the gaps when it comes to the internet,” White said. “We’re very thankful for this money from the feds and the province to help us move forward and give a few more people in Guelph/Eramosa high-speed internet.”

SWIFT has awarded contracts throughout Wellington County including Guelph/Eramosa, Mapleton, Wellington North and Centre Wellington. This represents nearly 2,900 households and businesses across 17 communities.

The overall value of the broadband infrastructure expansion plan in Wellington County is valued at approximately $12 million.