MULTI-TECHNOLOGY APPROACH WILL BRING HIGH-PERFORMANCE INTERNET TO COMMUNITY

CENGN is announcing the launch of an innovative project that will bring high-performance broadband access to the Township of Dawn-Euphemia while providing a model for low-cost service expansion for other rural communities across the province. This project is part of CENGN’s Rural Ontario Residential Broadband program.

To address the needs of the Township of Dawn-Euphemia, MPV Wifi will implement a set of unlicensed and licensed fixed wireless technologies including 5GHz WIFI, 24GHz microwave backhaul, 3.65GHz LTE, and GPON Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology, bringing a wide range of broadband internet access services up to 100 Mbps Down/100 Mbps Up to residents of the township.

This project promises several benefits, including:

• 90% cost savings by using unlicensed 24GHz backhaul and a new tower instead of 13 km of optical fibre backhaul
• 90% cost savings by using local agri-business grain elevators instead of building new dedicated telecommunications towers
• 90% expanded community high-speed internet access coverage with range of fixed wireless, optical, and improved wireless performance through dense tree cover
• A cost-effective model to expand service using grain elevators in other nearby rural areas

“CENGN is happy to work with our partners to solve the barriers to high-speed broadband access in the Township of Dawn-Euphemia, and deliver a major increase in performance to the residents of the community,” said Jean-Charles Fahmy, President and CEO of CENGN. “This enhanced connectivity will enable a stronger local economy and new internet-based digital services in the region. By the end of the project, we will have a blueprint solution to enable broadband access in other rural communities with the same challenges.”

“Access to reliable broadband internet is essential for all Ontarians, no matter where they live. Businesses, families, schools and hospitals in rural and Northern communities need fast connections just as much as in cities,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade. “Our government is committed to supporting projects like this one to ensure that communities across the province have the broadband and cellular connectivity they need and deserve.”

“Now more than ever we see the importance of broadband in underserved and unserved communities like Dawn-Euphemia,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure.  “The digital divide is real and magnified during this COVID 19 global pandemic.  I understand this full well coming from a rural community. This investment continues to build on Ontario’s commitment to connect people reducing that digital divide.  We are moving as fast as we can to get people the services that they need.”

“For too long connecting rural communities with high-speed internet hasn’t been treated as a priority,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training, and Skills Development, and MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “This investment will connect people in Dawn-Euphemia to quick and reliable internet. The days of driving to the nearest Tim Hortons to get fast internet are over. In 2020, this is long overdue.”

“This is exciting news for the Township of Dawn-Euphemia! The CENGN project funding is instrumental in bringing a cost-effective, high-speed internet solution to our residents, which has been a priority of the council for many years.  We look forward to working with CENGN and MPV wifi, in improving broadband high-speed internet access throughout the Township” said Mayor Alan Broad.

“MPV wifi is committed to providing fast affordable and reliable internet access for residents in rural areas, so we are very happy to be able to expand high-capacity internet access for Dawn-Euphemia Township residents,” said Matthew Vanheule, President of MPV wifi.

This project is part of the Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), an Ontario government program powered by CENGN in partnership with the Ontario Centres of Excellence, which helps Ontario companies develop and demonstrate new wired and wireless technology, products and services. Other projects in the program are focused on smart mining, smart agriculture and autonomous vehicles.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has committed $63.3 million over five years to the NGNP, which is being delivered through a partnership between CENGN, Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, and the Ontario Centres of Excellence.
• This initiative aligns with Up To Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan, delivered by the Ministry of Infrastructure.
• This project is part of the Rural Ontario Residential Broadband program, under the NGNP. CENGN is currently evaluating new project proposals and communities for upcoming rounds of the program.
• Broadband is a federally regulated sector and telecommunications companies provide the services.  Ontario is working with funding partners like the Federal government, municipalities and other investors to deliver broadband to our underserved and unserved communities.

CONTACT

Rick Penwarden
Marketing Manager
CENGN -Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks
613-963-1200 ex:329
rick.penwarden@cengn.ca

RESOURCES

CENGN Rural Ontario Residential Broadband Program
https://www.cengn.ca/rural-ontario-broadband-program/
MPV wifi
https://www.mpvwifi.com
Dawn-Euphemia Township
http://www.dawneuphemia.ca/
Next-Generation Network Program
https://www.cengn.ca/next-generation-network-program-en/
Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-economic-development-job-creation-trade

About the Author

• 

Rick is a proud member of the Canadian research and technology community, having an extensive background in tech commercialization and industry adoption of innovative technologies. Through his experience with start-up businesses and not-for-profit organizations, Rick is an outspoken advocate for the integration of technology to improve both industry outputs and society.

Over the past 5 years, Rick has managed the public relations and communications for CENGN, Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks. At the centre of an organization that facilitates collaboration between tech businesses, industry leaders, academia and government, Rick champions the message that talent development and commercial growth in advanced networking technology is crucial to a thriving economy.

More by Rick Penwarden