The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) issued the first Request for Proposal to build new cellular infrastructure. The competitive bidding process will identify telecommunication partners who offer both the expertise and best value for expanded cell coverage in the region.

The federal and provincial governments have committed $71 million each to the $213 million public-private partnership to improve both the reach and quality of mobile broadband services in the region.

All members of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and most municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus are contributing to the $10 million municipal share. Mobile carriers are expected to provide the balance of the funding.

There are currently significant gaps in both the reach and capacity of mobile broadband networks across areas of rural Eastern Ontario:

  • 40 per cent of the area does not have access to high-definition services that allow streaming HD video.
  • 20 per cent of the area does not have access to standard definition video, typical mobile app use and video app calling.
  • 10 per cent has no voice calling service.

The EORN initiative applies to a geographic area that includes 13 members of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (11 regional county municipalities and two single-tier municipalities), and nine separated municipalities.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus includes:

  • County of Frontenac
  • County of Haliburton
  • County of Hastings
  • City of Kawartha Lakes (single tier)
  • County of Lanark
  • United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
  • County of Lennox and Addington
  • County of Northumberland
  • County of Peterborough
  • United Counties of Prescott and Russell
  • County of Prince Edward (single tier)
  • County of Renfrew
  • United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
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The nine separated municipalities include:

  • Kingston
  • Belleville
  • Quinte West
  • Smiths Falls
  • Gananoque
  • Prescott
  • City of Peterborough
  • Pembroke
  • Cornwall

The CRTC recently designated both mobile and fixed broadband as basic services for all Canadians. The public-private partnership will reduce carriers’ infrastructure costs, creating a stronger business case to improve services and meet the CRTC’s basic services goals.

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