Bell Canada and Rogers landed grants totaling CAD654.8 million (around $506.3 million) from the government of Ontario to run fiber to underserved locations across the province. The awards were part of a broader $4 billion funding effort by Ontario's government aimed at delivering broadband to every location in the province by the end of 2025.
The Ontario Accelerated High Speed Internet Program (AHSIP) earlier this month allocated a total of CAD1.25 billion (about $966.8 million) to eight service providers to connect just over 266,000 locations.
Bell Canada snagged the largest grant, getting CAD483.8 million to serve 82,632 locations. Including its grant winnings, the operator said it plans to invest a total of CAD650 million in expanding its network in the province. Beyond its AHSIP commitments, it noted it plans to reach an additional 37,000 locations near where it will be building with the grant money.
Rural broadband provider Xplornet Communications received the second largest grant, bagging CAD240 million to connect 54,679 locations. In a press release, the operator said it plans to deliver fiber service to 71 municipalities and 5G fixed wireless access to another 27 towns using the money.
The third largest grant, totaling CAD171 million, went to Rogers Communications. The operator is set to connect 89,295 locations across 98 communities with its fiber broadband service over the next three years.
Other notable awards include CAD150.2 million for Community Network Partners to serve over 9,000 locations and CAD74.3 million for Cogeco Connexion to reach up to 13,856. Cogeco, which also operates Breezeline in the U.S., said the new connections will build upon other network expansion efforts it is undertaking as part of Ontario’s Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) and Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) programs, and the Canadian government’s Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) program.
Bragg Communications, Eh!tel Networks and North Frontenac Telephone Company also received AHSIP grants.