Broadband in Northumberland
High-speed internet connectivity is essential for a thriving and inclusive Northumberland County. Recognizing that reliable internet access is a foundation for local economic growth, resilience, and community well-being, Northumberland County has made closing broadband gaps a top priority. Like many rural communities, parts of Northumberland face challenges with broadband access due to complex infrastructure requirements.
A public-private model to power connectivity
Northumberland County is advancing a broadband network initiative through a public-private partnership model, combining public funding with private investment to deliver reliable internet services. This network is being designed to bring a minimum 1 Gigabyte service to over 11,000 unserved/underserved households in Northumberland County by the end of 2025. This initiative is supported by funding from the federal Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) and provincial Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) Program.
Partners are working towards a mid-February, 2025 launch for installation work, with crews to be deployed across Northumberland County. The goal is to complete all installations by the end of 2025.
A detailed project plan is currently being developed to outline the specific timing of installation in communities across Northumberland and Alderville First Nation. More information will be shared soon.
Improving connectivity remains an important action item within the County’s 2019 Digital Strategy.
Pilot project brings high-speed internet to Shelter Valley Road in Alnwick/Haldimand
In March 2021, an innovative project launched by Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) successfully brought high-speed internet to the Shelter Valley Road area in Alnwick/Haldimand. In partnership with Northumberland County and the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, service provider Algonquin Fiber extended affordable fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet to approximately 150 homes, addressing a previously underserved region.
This project tested new technologies to overcome connectivity challenges in rural, low-density areas, providing valuable insights for Northumberland Broadband program. The lessons learned helped inform our future broadband solutions, especially for areas where challenging geography has hindered service expansion. This initiative marked an important step toward broader rural connectivity in Northumberland, supporting growing demands for telemedicine, online learning, and home-based businesses.
Government and non-profit-led investments
Ensuring universal access to high-speed internet is a priority for all levels of government, with specific initiatives aimed at improving connectivity for rural and remote communities across Canada.
- Federal: The Government of Canada has launched several programs to expand high-speed internet access nationwide, especially targeting rural and underserved regions. The federal goal is to connect 98% of Canadians by 2026, an increase from the previous commitment of 95% of Canadians in Canada's Connectivity Strategy, and all Canadians by 2030.
- Provincial: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan has committed $315 million to broadband expansion, with partner investments from the private sector and federal government potentially raising the total investment to $1 billion. Ontario continues to invest as a funding partner in broadband and cellular projects and coordinates closely with the federal government on regulatory matters.
- Regional: In Eastern Ontario, combined federal, provincial, and municipal investments through the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) have significantly enhanced regional connectivity. EORN, a non-profit established by the Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus, is dedicated to rural broadband improvements. Its current Cellular Network Gap and Mobile Broadband Improvement Project aims to expand cellular and mobile broadband coverage across Eastern Ontario, enhancing service for smartphone applications and streaming capabilities. This initiative is supported through collaborations with government and private-sector partners.
Find an internet provider for your home or business
To see which internet service providers may be available in your area today, please enter your address in the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map provided by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.