The future of high-speed internet in Southwestern Ontario is the topic of an online survey being carried out under the auspices of Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT).
Chatham-Kent officials say the purpose of the survey is to provide SWIFT with information on how to invest funds for broadband internet infrastructure across Southwestern Ontario.
In 2016, SWIFT received a combined $180 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.
The SWIFT initiative is based on the principle that everyone in the area deserves access to high-speed Internet, regardless of the size of their community, their age, education, or where they work. The goal of SWIFT is to build an affordable, open-access, ultra-high-speed fibre-optic regional broadband network through Southwestern Ontario and Niagara Region.
The project was initiated by the membership of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) in 2011.
Chatham-Kent mayor Randy Hope, a board member and former caucus chair, said during lobbying efforts for the fund that “The Internet is constantly evolving and changing – and requiring more and more speed, bandwidth and reliability. It’s imperative that our region has the fibre optic foundation needed to access a connected global economy and to deliver effective public services.”
Chatham-Kent was initially told that as a community with a population of more than 100,000 it didn’t qualify as part of the project, however, as funding broadened, the municipality met the criteria.
Lambton County Council last week entered into a partnership agreement with SWIFT Inc. The agreement allows the County to benefit from significant funding from municipal partners and senior levels of government.
