Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is introducing legislation to expand high-speed internet to additional communities by introducing legislation to “remove barriers, duplication and delays.”
“By taking this leap, our government is helping to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet, providing people with the digital services they need and deserve,” said Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure.
The Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022 is needed to connect every community with to high-speed internet by the end of 2025, she said.
Ontario will spend $900 million in more than 180 broadband, cellular and satellite projects across the province.
According to a news release, new legislation would also improve Ontario One Call’s processes of determining the location of underground infrastructure like telecommunications lines, water mains and gas pipelines, known as locates and lead to accelerated construction of broadband infrastructure across Ontario.
“It often takes businesses and builders too long to start construction because of how complicated it is to get information about underground infrastructure,” said Ross Romano, minister of government and consumer services. “These are costly delays to building critical high-speed internet projects and housing developments that we can’t afford, which is why we’re accelerating how quickly workers can get shovels in the ground.”
All underground infrastructure owners are required to register with One Call as members, including gas and oil utilities, electrical utilities, telecommunication companies and municipalities. One Call currently has 835 members across the province.
In 2021, Ontario One Call processed 1,114,404 locate requests.
