Xplornet Announces Major Fiber Expansion Plan in Eastern Ontario

MARKHAM, ON – Over 80,000 rural homes and businesses in Eastern Ontario will soon have access to much faster internet speeds, unlimited data and the latest 5G-ready broadband technology supported by fiber infrastructure, as a result of a major investment announced by Xplornet Communications and the Government of Canada. The result will enable Xplornet, a Canadian broadband provider, to provide rural residents of Eastern Ontario with access to affordable Internet with download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and unlimited data.

To deliver this service, Xplornet will deploy over 600 kilometres (3,372 miles) of fiber optic cable, as well as 5G-ready broadband infrastructure to its existing network using state-of-the-art hybrid fibre wireless technology. The project’s enhanced coverage and service will cover rural residents in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, Lanark County, Durham Region and Northumberland County.

The total cost of the project includes a contribution of up to $16 million by the Government of Canada via its Connect to Innovate program. The areas covered are adjacent to Xplornet’s hybrid fibre wireless network upgrades already underway to connect 35,000 rural homes and business in the counties of Hastings and Lennox and Addington. The project is expected to be completed in 2022.