The County of Simcoe is eligible to receive up to $1 million in provincial funding to start local broadband infrastructure projects, through the Rural Connections Broadband program.
“High-speed internet is almost as important as roads are to people nowadays,” said Oro-Medonte Township mayor, Harry Hughes. “With the changing workplace there are a number of home businesses and small businesses that really rely on it.”
Hughes said built-up areas of the township, like Horseshoe Valley, and along Hwy. 11 have high-speed Internet. However others living in more rural areas have been waiting for high-speed for over seven years.
“It depends on the quality of your phone lines,” Hughes said. “A lot of the telephone lines in rural areas just aren’t equipped to handle high-speed Internet.”
Government funding could cover as much as one-third of the projects cost.
“When the government is supporting one-third I think that would mean that private companies would come in to give the other dimensions,” Hughes said.
Hughes said Oro-Medonte council has no yet discussed its plans or set a date for the project.
“We have got money for upgrades on communications, which is great for the township and it will certainly help people that need that type of service,” said Bill Duffy, mayor of Ramara Township. “We are thankful that we got the funding.”
The County of Simcoe also collaborated with Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford, West Gwillimbury, Clearview, Essa, New Tecumeth, Tay, Tiny and Springwater on this project.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sara Ross
Quelle/Source: Orillia Packet & Time, 30.11.2008
