TORONTO — The Ontario government will use a satellite internet service provider to bring high-speed internet access to approximately 43,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to help bring connectivity to every community by the end of 2025.
“Our government has made incredible progress on filling high-speed internet service gaps across the province, but we know more needs to be done,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Where ground-based infrastructure is currently not an option, a qualified satellite service provider will ensure that the hardest to reach areas of our province will have access to reliable high-speed internet.”
In partnership with Infrastructure Ontario, the province has launched a competitive process to find qualified satellite internet service providers. Interested service providers can visit www.merx.com to download the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
“Infrastructure Ontario is proud to embark on a new, first of its kind procurement for satellite service in Canada,” said Michael Lindsay, President and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. “Finding economically and technically-viable market solutions for this ambitious government goal has made Ontario a leader in the field of making high-speed internet accessible to everyone.”
Ontario is investing nearly $4 billion to help bring access to reliable high-speed internet for every community across the province. This is the largest single investment in high-speed internet, in any province, by any government in Canadian history.
Quick Facts
- As of August 2023, Ontario has finalized agreements totalling more than $2.3 billion for nearly 200 high-speed internet and cellular projects that will bring access to more than 500,000 homes and businesses across the province.
- This year, Ontario launched a new interactive online map that shows where provincially funded high-speed internet projects are planned, currently under way or have been recently completed. Ontarians can use the map to learn about projects in their area and find out where high-speed internet service is currently available.
- High-speed internet provides easy access to more than 55 ServiceOntario online services. Renew your health card, driver’s products and more at Ontario.ca/Renew, book appointments at Ontario.ca/Appointment, and sign up for important renewal reminders at Ontario.ca/Reminders or at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).
SOURCE: Province of Ontario
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