The Provincial Centre for Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) will be implementing a project for an area in rural Milton, testing new approaches to delivering high-performance broadband internet to rural communities. The CENGN project announcement closely follows the Province’s investment of the nearly $1 billion dollars to expand and improve broadband and cellular access across rural Ontario.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for reliable, accessible, high-speed internet in our rural communities,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The gaps in service have created additional challenges for many people who need reliable internet to work from home, learn online or operate their business. Regional Council has been advocating for action on rural broadband access for a number of years, both at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO). We are excited to be one of the first communities selected by CENGN and thank the Provincial Government for recognizing this issue in Halton.”
CENGN has awarded the project to Mage Networks who will initially focus on enabling access to up to 350 homes around Brookville in rural Milton. This will include the implementation of innovative wireless technology fixed to hydro poles and streetlight standards delivering up 100Mbps download and 100Mbps upload speeds.
“CENGN’s project in Milton will test technology that may make it possible to expand enhanced broadband access faster and with lower construction costs,” said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. “Access in rural communities hinges on the innovation and investment of telecommunications service providers and for that reason, we really look forward to the outcome of this project. This could be a game changer for rural communities.”
“I am proud our government is investing $63.3 million over five years to CENGN programs to grow innovation and commercialization of new products by small and medium companies in Ontario, while also driving innovative residential broadband projects to bring high speed broadband to rural Milton and other communities across Ontario,” said Parm Gill, MPP for Milton. “This is part of our commitment to improve access to reliable internet for every home, business, and farm in Ontario.”
This project is part of the Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), an Ontario government program powered by CENGN in partnership with the Ontario Centres of Excellence, which helps Ontario companies develop and demonstrate new wired and wireless technology, products and services.
To learn more about Halton’s advocacy efforts to support residents, including broadband internet access, visit halton.ca. To learn more about CENGN’s broadband internet project in rural Milton, please visit cengn.ca.