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Rural Broadband Levels the Playing Field

John Voet helped bring broadband Internet service to his rural community in Eastern Ontario

When John Voet semi-retired and moved from Montreal to rural eastern Ontario, he soon realized his passion for testing computer software was to be hampered by local internet service.  Voet’s enthusiasm led him to his local town council who shared his goal of bringing broadband Internet to the Williamstown area.  Knowing he wasn’t alone in his desire to fix this limiting factor, he and his wife canvassed every neighbor up and down the side roads.

His door-to-door conversations soon followed a familiar pattern.  Neighbour after neighbour said, “What do you mean, do I want high-speed internet?  When can I have it?”

The township’s subsequent application to the Rural Connections Broadband Program was given the green light by the province of Ontario.

Now the Williamstown area is served by reliable and affordable high-speed internet service through Bell.

Since the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs launched its first incentive program to help municipalities fill in the broadband gaps in rural Ontario, 47 partnerships have been formed.  These projects will bring broadband to an estimated 540,000 people and businesses.  About 40 per cent of the projects are already built and operating.