Satellite service will support hard to reach areas
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.