Hello Ward 8 Neighbours,
The largest digital investment in the City of Hamilton’s history by Bell Canada will bring with it expanded broadband access in urban and rural areas of the city.
Bell announced on January 23 that the company will invest $400 million dollars over a period of 5 years, including the installation of fibre network connections in 200,000 homes and businesses throughout the city, including business parks and commercial areas.
For more details, please continue reading below…
The expansion, Bell says, will see residents able to access up to 1.5 gigabits per second through the new service and will expand their wireless internet to an additional 8,000 rural homes.
Work has already started in Ancaster and other parts of the city. The hope is to expand broadband access to Mount Hope, Dundas, Waterdown, and Mount Hope. The cost to taxpayers will be nothing, officials have said.
Access to premium talent @McMasterU @MohawkCollege & @RedeemerUniv is a prime driver attracting modern business to #HamOnt. @Bell‘s $400M investment in a City wide fibre network is the 21st century equivalent of building a new railroad or highway! https://t.co/04G3P8tZdP
— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) January 28, 2020
Bell says it will work in close cooperation with the city and local contractors to minimize disruption to residents and businesses throughout the project. The majority of the network build will consist of new fibre installed underground, with additional fibre located on Bell, Hydro One and Alectra Utilities poles.
Bell’s senior vice-president of Access Engineering and Deployment, J. Bruce Furlong, also spoke about the initiative, “Long recognized as one of North America’s top manufacturing centres, the City of Hamilton is also quickly becoming a leader in advanced technology and innovation. Our historic partnership will provide the critical infrastructure necessary to deliver the next generation of communications services to Hamiltonians while accelerating the city’s ongoing digital transformation.”
Lack of broadband access has been a constant complaint for many rural Hamiltonians, but with this investment it is hoped that those calls have been answered.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our office here.