Hastings County CEO Jim Pine and Deputy Clerk Cathy Monzon-Bradley, May 25, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Eastern Ontario is taking steps to be prepared for the upcoming “mobile, hi-tech, fifth-generation economy.”
The Eastern Ontario Regional Network is now working on access to mobile broadband service for smart phones and tablets, as well as building a first-responders public safety broadband network.
Hastings County CEO Jim Pine reported to Hastings County council Thursday, “The world is going to change with the technology and we have to have the infrastructure and technology, the cellular technology, here.”
He says goods and services and people are going to be moved by autonomous vehicles in the future, all the major companies are working on it.
Pine says the project will take about five years and $300 million.
The Eastern Ontario group has applied to the federal government for funding and meets with provincial government officials on Monday.
Pine expects approvals before the end of the year and completion of the project in five years.
The project covers the area from the Ottawa River to the Durham region.
Pine says Quebec and Ontario are now planning a hi-tech 5-G corridor and Eastern Ontario is right in that path.
A number of Eastern Ontario counties have also applied, including Northumberland and Peterborough, and Pine hopes Hasting County will do so next month.
Pine says the group is working with private sector partners as well.
