The importance of a high speed internet connection to rural residents can be seen as a basic utility; one that drives drives development in rural economies and acts as an important attraction tool. It is one of the Township's initiatives to reduce the digital divide and provide residents access to broadband services as they continue to work, learn and connect at home.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) declared that high-speed internet is now a basic service and established a universal service objective that Canadians (in rural and remote areas to those in urban centres) have access to broad internet services.
Current Initiatives
On June 14, 2021 Council approved the Internet Plan to improve broadband services in Ramara. The report identified seven service gaps around the Township that were identified using the CIRA performance tests and responses from residents. With the seven service gaps, over 800+ households will receive a minimum of 50/10 service. These seven service gap areas will be covered by Rogers Communication Inc. and Muskoka Wifi.
*Please note that you will need to click on the layer 'Internet Projects 2022' under the Business and Development heading.
*For any wireless services, round circles on public mapping, mapping is provided by service provider and may change.
UPDATE
On June 27, 2022, a memo went to Council with an update on Internet Projects in Ramara.
Muskoka Wifi
On October 25, 2021, the Township of Ramara Council signed an agreement with Muskoka Wifi to service over 200 underserved premises in the North area (Gap A) of the Township with wireless services.
On April 12, 2022, the Township of Ramara and Muskoka Wifi announce that residents in the north area of the Township have access to high-speed wireless internet.
Rogers Communication Inc
On September 27, 2021, Council signed an agreement with Rogers Communication Canada Inc to service 828 underserved premises with either wired or wireless services. The total investment is $4,816,833 with the Township of Ramara contributing only $425,000. The Project is anticipated to be complete by mid 2022.
Service Gap Areas covered by Rogers Communication Inc
| Service Gap Area | Number of Premises | Fixed Wireless | Fibre to the Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 533 | 533 | |
| C & D | 84 | 84 | |
| E | 210 | 210 | |
| Fire Hall #3 | 1 | 1 |
UBF Fund
The Universal Broadband Fund has been designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects that will bring high-speed Internet at 50/10 Megabits per second (Mbps) to rural and remote communities. Learn more on the Government of Canada's Universal Broadband Fund page.
On June 30th, Rogers announced that it has been awarded a partnership with the Government of Canada's Universal Broadband Fund to bring fast, reliable, high-speed internet service to Simcoe County. With the joint investment of over $3.2 million, the Rogers network will expand by 44 kilometres and will service over 1,000 homes in Gamebridge, Bass Lake and Orr Lake. Construction is expected to begin this Fall and be completed by mid-February 2022. Learn more by viewing the media release.
SWIFT Program
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non-profit municipally-led broadband expansion project created to improve internet connectivity in underserved communities.
- Media Release - Simcoe County to receive $41 million on broadband upgrades.
- SWIFT funding announcement including Ramara Township.
- SWIFT Map - identifies project locations
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