Kettle & Stony Point First Nation to see faster internet connectivity by end of 2020
By Colin Graf
CHIPPEWAS OF KETTLE & STONY POINT FIRST NATION— On-reserve members of Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation will soon be getting faster fibre-optic internet connections.
The community along the Lake Huron shore north of Sarnia, will have the improved service in place by the end of 2020. Direct fibre connections will become available to approximately 900 homes and businesses within the territory, as well as to nearly 130 homes and businesses in the surrounding area, according to a news release from Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT), a non-profit regional broadband project that is subsidizing construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region by 2021.
The project is estimated to cost around $2.7 million and will be the first of its kind for the community, according to SWIFT.
Kettle & Stony Point First Nation has up to now relied on “particularly poor internet service,” with some areas still dependent on dial-up connectivity, SWIFT’s release says.
“We welcome the introduction of fibre-optic infrastructure, which will bring high-speed internet to our community”, says Kettle & Stony Point Chief Jason Henry. “This investment is a game-changer for our community that will open the door to economic and educational opportunities widely available elsewhere and improve quality of life for residents.”
The work will be performed by Execulink Telecom who will install the new lines along 35 kilometres of road.
SWIFT is making the investments through the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund (NBCF-SCF), a joint federal and provincial infrastructure funding program.
“The broadband infrastructure investments we are making will significantly boost internet speeds and support the digital needs of families and businesses across Lambton County and within Kettle and Stony Point First Nation both today and into the future,” says Barry Field, SWIFT Executive Director.
The organization has also signed agreements with Execulink and Cogeco Connexions to deliver faster internet speeds to more than 3,900 households and businesses across 17 communities near Kettle Point, including Lambton Shores, Plympton-Wyoming, and St. Clair Township.
SWIFT has awarded $6.5 million in provincial and federal funding to support the two companies in the work. The total value of the newly announced projects is approximately $11.4 million, including $4.9 million in contributions from the service providers.