TekSavvy awarded contract for fibre-construction to serve Delaware Nation, a First Nation community located in Chatham-Kent.
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT), in partnership with Delaware Nation Moravian of the Thames (Delaware Nation), is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with TekSavvy Solutions Inc. (TekSavvy) to construct a fibre-optic network to bring high-speed internet to the First Nation community.
“We are thrilled to make this announcement today, as the project has been in the works for some time,” says SWIFT Board Chair, David Mayberry. “It’s great news for the community and we are proud to be taking the next steps in partnership with Delaware Nation to provide the community with access to quality broadband services.”
SWIFT is leveraging approximately $460,000 in funding contributions received from its municipal partners to support the newly awarded project. TekSavvy has also committed approximately $215,000 to the $675,000 joint venture.
“The project once completed will provide the community with access to modern broadband infrastructure capable of delivering internet speed up to 1 gigabit per second and will allow Delaware Nation to act as their own internet service provider providing services directly to their community,” says Barry Field, Executive Director, SWIFT. “This future-proofed technology ensures that Delaware Nation will have equitable access to fast, reliable internet services for generations to come.”
The 14-kilometre fibre-optic network will be built and maintained by TekSavvy and will act as a backbone and feeder network to provide advanced broadband services to businesses, homes and community buildings within the First Nation.
“The fibre optic project will assist Delaware Nation by providing one-third of our community residents, businesses and our government operations with the ability to access fast, reliable high-speed broadband services. It will also bring our community one step closer to the long-term goal of being our own internet service provider. Most importantly, the new technology will open up the world to our youth and digitally showcase the opportunities available to them today,” says Delaware Nation Chief Denise Stonefish. “Delaware Nation would not be where it is today without the partnerships and funding contributions provided by both the municipal partners of SWIFT and TekSavvy, as we look forward to getting the project in the ground.”
“TekSavvy has a strong focus on partnering with local groups and governments to bring high speed internet services to new communities in Southwestern Ontario”, says Charlie Burns, Chief Technology Officer at TekSavvy. “We are very excited to be working with the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown and SWIFT on this initiative and look forward to continuing together as we move toward implementation this Fall.”
The newly announced project is part of SWIFT’s $209 million Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan and is supported by funding contributions received from its municipal partners.
About SWIFT:
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non-profit regional broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to subsidize the construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario.
Media Contact:
Melissa O’Brien
[email protected]
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
226.256.1640
