Connect Oro-Medonte
High-speed internet access is increasingly important in everyday life, whether it’s required for school, business or even entertainment. The Township recognizes that many residents & businesses have inadequate access to what is now considered a basic service.
Canada's telecom regulator (CRTC) has declared that high-speed internet is now a basic service, just like a current landline/telephone.
The Township will continue to have a short survey available for businesses and residents, including an internet performance test. Click on "How you can help" below for more information on current surveys and past surveys.
Current Initiatives & Advocacy
The Township is working in partnership with the University of Guelph's
Regional & Rural Broadband Project. The project will help the Township to analyze the data and look for opportunities including advocay and funding for rural broadband expansion.
Staff continue to work with local Internet Service Providers(ISP) and advocate on behalf of the Municipality with various levels of government.
Click on the How You Can Help tab to learn more about the Community Internet Survey.
How You Can Help - Survey
Thank you to businesses and residents, there were over 900 responses through the long form Community Internet Survey the Township ran from mid July to mid October.
We will continue to collect data and internet performance tests through a shorter survey:
If you wish to run only a speed test:
The Township anticipates seeking support through various funding agencies pertaining to potential service improvements; data collected though the survey will form a crucial component of grant applications.
MEDIA RELEASE - Original Survey
SWIFT also has an ongoing Survey - if you are interested in providing feedback to this initiative as well.
Since 2016, information is being collected by the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC) SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) initiative, which is working in collaboration with the University of Guelph's R2B2 (Regional and Rural Broadband) project.
If you have completed the SWIFT survey in previous years, they request you to consider doing so again so that change over time can be measured. This includes the recent need for residential and business internet access that you may have experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Survey links: https://swiftruralbroadband.ca/resources/r2b2-survey/
Internet Service Providers
In rural areas of the Township land-line/Fibre based Internet service options can be limited, challenges seem to be found in areas with less population density. This can also not only mean limited options, but it can also be cost prohibitive and issues with hills and forested terrain add additional challenges. Internet access in these areas are mainly through wireless connections. To assist residents in finding Internet connectivity options that may be available in rural areas of the Township, the municipality has gathered publicly available information about options from the following providers who provide service in the Township:
*If you are a service provider and don't see your information on the list please contact the Township.
The Township is continuing to gather information to share with our residents and businesses that will include more information about what Internet Service Providers(ISPs) are available in Oro-Medonte.
Internet Connectivity Task Force
Mandate
To identify broadband initiatives and to advance the goals of the Economic Development Strategy specific to internet, including; exploring mechanisms and best practices of how to facilitate high-speed internet expansion in the Township. The Internet Connectivity Task Force (ICTF) will provide feedback to staff who will share information to Council & the Economic Development Roundtable.
For more information please see the Mandate & Guidelines PDF
Members of The Task Force
COUNCIL
Councillor Cathy Keane, Chair
Mayor Harry Hughes, ExOfficio
Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough, Council Member/Economic Development Roundtable Representative
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Ilia Maor
Jeremy Pollard
Keith Tyndall
Tony Abi-Jaoude
Wayne Kibbler
STAFF
Donna Hewitt, Director of Corporate Services
Harold Daynard, Manager of IT
Jennifer Whitley, Economic Development & Communications Coordinator
