High-speed Internet in King comes as great news

December 9, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
The investment to provide high-speed Internet services to King residents, like myself, comes as great news to local councillors. The internet in my area has been somewhat poor in recent years so these advancements are sure to go down well with residents!
Brian McCullagh, director of business development for Vianet, received the Township’s support in their funding bid from the federal government for Internet infrastructure. They’re proposal is for a $3.3-million high-speed fibre cable running along Jane Street, providing roughly 1,000 homes with this valuable service.
Small communities funding from Ottawa requires municipal support and King gave it wholeheartedly.
The high-capacity fibre network will run from Vaughan to Barrie and is intended to aid under-serviced areas.
“It’s a good place to spend our time and money,”?McCullagh noted.
With the fibre along Jane, it can branch out to connect residents on the 19th Sideroad and into Carrying Place as well.
This will help “close the broadband gap” and bolster local home-based business. “It gives a competitive advantage to King,”?he added.
There is no cost to the municipality for this new service.
Councillor Debbie Schaefer has long been a proponent of acquiring high-speed Internet access for rural residents. She wanted to know if there’s a capacity constraint for the future and McCullagh said there are no limits. In fact, this infrastructure will allow them to reduce the costs to consumers.
Hopes are Vianet will put the shovel in the ground during the summer of 2016.
Councillor Bill Cober has also heard the repeated requests for high-speed Internet from his constituents. “We’re glad to partner with Vianet,” he said.
This is “very exciting news”?for Councillor Avia Eek and her Holland Marsh residents. “It’s infrastructure and it’s necessary,”?she observed.
McCullagh admitted the Marsh does provide some challenges with its soil and water table, but they will work out the details. Their goal is to continually branch out and offer the service to everyone.
Mayor Steve Pellegrini pointed out projects like this can’t be done without partnerships from the private industry.
“We need more of this in King,”?he said.