Partners

Above all, EORN is based on partnership and collaboration – between governments, private sector and other key stakeholders. It is through effective partnership that EORN works to spur investment and improvements to the quality of life and economic growth of the region.

All of our partners are motivated by the common understanding that rural connectivity is critical to the future of our communities, our province and our nation. Given the challenges of serving broad, sparsely- populated regions, the government and private sector must work together.

Government of Canada
  • Through Infrastructure Canada, the federal government contributed $55 million to EORN's first project (Phase 1) to expand fixed broadband access
  • Since that time, it has established a National Broadband Strategy. It is contributing $71 million to expand cellular coverage and capacity across the region.

Government of Ontario
  • The provincial government contributed $55 million to EORN's first phase and is contributing $71 million to expand cellular coverage and capacity across the region.
  • A Contribution Agreement sets out the conditions for the funding and ensures accountability.

Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) and Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus (EOMC)
  • The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus is comprised of 13 upper-tier governments in rural eastern Ontario. It created EORN to lead and coordinate the effort to improve connectivity across the region.
  • The EOWC and members of the EOMC all contributed towards the $10 million municipal share of the EORN Phase 1 broadband project.
  • All EOWC members and most municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus are contributing to the $10 million municipal share to the cellular expansion project.

First Nations
  • Improving First Nations' connectivity is a priority, with dedicated EORN staff reaching out to work with these communities to ensure that they shared in the benefits of the network.
  • In Phase 1, EORN worked with the Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation to develop special projects that improve service within these communities.
  • Discussions with First Nations communities are underway to determine any special projects for the cellular expansion project.

Private Sector Partners
  • Private sector service providers are a critical partner in expanding connectivity. EORN selects partners through a competitive bidding process aimed at identifying the partner who can deliver the most coverage as efficiently as possible.
  • Phase 1 of EORN project could not have succeeded without internet service providers stepping up to make their own investment in the project - valued at well over $57 million. These providers included Bell Aliant, Bell, Xplornet, Storm Internet, Nexicom, Cogeco Cable Inc., and Utilities Kingston.
  • Services level agreements ensure that partners uphold conditions of the funding. For Phase 1, service level agreements run until 2024.
  • For the cell expansion project, some cell carriers have been involved in identifying gaps. A competitive process will again be used to identify partners.