(Oxford County, ON) September 22, 2022 – SWIFT today announced high-speed fibre-optic internet service is now available to an additional 675 homes and businesses in Oxford County.

“SWIFT is making strong progress as we continue to work together with our partners to expand broadband service in Oxford County and across Southwestern Ontario,” said Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “Today’s announcement builds on our program’s commitment to drive greater connectivity throughout the region as we mark the completion of three high-speed fibre-optic projects in Oxford County.”

“We’re delivering on our government’s commitment to provide access to high-speed internet for rural Ontario.” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “New connections, like the ones announced today in Oxford County, will help families stay in touch and access the supports, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. It’s this type of critical infrastructure that builds Ontario and benefits the entire community.”

SWIFT funding recipient Execulink Telecom has also completed construction of a high-speed fibre-optic network in the Township of South-West Oxford to bring improve connectivity to 104 homes and businesses in the communities of Verschoyle and Dereham Centre.

In the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock Execulink Telecom has also broken ground on a fibre-to-the-home network to service 260 homes and businesses throughout the communities of Hickson, Strathallan, Huntingford and Willow Lake.  Construction of the high-speed internet project began earlier this year and is forecasted to be complete with service fully available to all locations within the network’s coverage area by Fall 2022.

“Today’s announcement is a significant one for the 675 residents, businesses and industries that now have access to reliable high-speed internet, impacting the economy, commerce, autonomy and social connections of people in Oxford County. The SWIFT project has been a key driver of internet expansion in the County and is an example of what partners can do working together to accomplish regional goals,” said Larry Martin Warden, Oxford County.

Today’s announcement is part of SWIFT’s $268 million regional broadband expansion plan that will bring high-speed internet service to more than 63,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Ontario.