GEORGINA, Ont. – Residents of the village of Udora (pop. ~500, about 100 kms north of Toronto) are seeing independent ISP Vianet beginning a three-phase fibre optic build within the community.
Vianet will be using the recently completed high-capacity fibre backbone built by YorkNet, a municipal services corporation owned and operated by York Region (and partially paid for by the federal government’s Connect to Innovate program), to create a point of presence in Udora.
Vianet’s project in Udora has received no additional funding, and will deliver internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps with no data cap. Sudbury-based Vianet also offers television and telephone services. “Building a fibre optic network will allow for all the existing industry trends such a streaming video to be easily delivered to both businesses and residents in the area,” says the press release.
“This network will be game-changing for the residents of Udora. They will now have the ability to work or learn from home, utilizing the video conferencing applications that are needed to do so successfully.”
Vianet started building fibre to homes and businesses 12 years ago in Chapleau, Ont. (pop. 1,900, between Wawa and Timmins) “and today every home and business in Chapleau has access to the fibre network. It can be done in smaller centres,” notes the release.
“When we look at opportunities to build fibre into one of these centres, the one big thing that is required from our standpoint is a community with people that are willing to work with us. In that matter, we had a very good feeling when we first sat down with the Town of Georgina, and we look forward to working with all of you to make this a successful venture.” said Brian McCullagh, Vianet’s director of business development.
The company originally intended to begin construction of the fibre network in Udora next spring, however, thanks to early completion of YorkNet’s fibre trunks, construction instead began earlier this month. Crews are currently working on installing fibre cabling along the roadways. Customers can expect installations to begin in the spring.
“It’s exciting to watch progress being made in bringing high-speed internet to our community. We know that having access to affordable reliable internet is a ‘must have’ and the pandemic has placed this at the forefront. Whether you are doing online learning or running a home-based business, Georgina Council recognizes high-speed internet as an economic driver that both residents and businesses should have access to.” said Mayor Margaret Quirk, in the release.
This new fibre installation is just the latest for independent Vianet.
Photo courtesy Vianet.
