Hastings County will promote a billion dollar plan that would provide Eastern Ontario homes and businesses with ultra-fast internet service.
Council has decided to support the plan that would provide 95% of homes and businesses with fast fibre optic cable.
CAO Jim Pine told council the Eastern Ontario Regional Network project could cost between $1.2 and $1.6 billion.
Hastings County’s share would be $20 million.
If it did the project in the county alone, the local cost would be $128 million.
Pine said the project would push service from five gigabytes per second to 1000, filling gaps in service.
He emphasized, “It is important to participate in the project.”
Pine notes that in terms of education online, “Why should rural children not be able to access successfully for online learning. This kind of capacity will give Hastings County an advantage.”
The United Counties of Prescott and Russell, along with Peterborough County and Frontenac County, have passed motions of support.
The project would ask the province and federal governments to each come up with between $200 and $300 million.
Council decided to support the proposal and write to both the upper governments for their support.
Cell service update
Council also received an update on another EORN project to close gaps in mobile phone and internet service.
Pine reported the network was able to get broadband service to many addresses but large gaps remain in the availability of mobile voice and data communications.
Tweed Mayor Jo-Anne Albert reported that she had a recent important call with police interrupted four times during a drive from Tweed to Napanee.
“That’s ridiculous in 2020,” she said.
As Quinte News has reported earlier this spring, a request for proposals from telecommunications will close Aug. 14.
The network has hired some staff, including engineers.
Construction is expected to start in 2021.
Pine said it is scheduled to finish in 2025.
Some gaps will close up as work continues.
