North Grenville is continuing efforts to improve rural broadband in the community.
The municipality is undergoing a broadband study, which builds on an internet survey conducted last summer in partnership with the Canadian Internet Registry Association.
The data from that survey indicated that parts of North Grenville often experience one-fifth the internet speeds of more urban areas.
Mayor Nancy Peckford says the study will take us one step closer to identifying a Connectivity Plan for the future.
“The community is being asked what do you pay for internet, what’s the speed, how good is it, what are you using it for, and what would you like to see in the future,” Peckford said.
Peckford says the pandemic has made broadband challenges all the more urgent, especially with multiple users in the same household requiring a stable high-speed connection.
The new study will also support efforts by the Eastern Ontario Regional Network to establish a gig to every home, institution, and business in Eastern Ontario.
Peckford says the more input they hear, the better equipped the municipality will be.
“People are frustrated that some of the rural broadband service available cannot support multiple users in the home, certainly not reliably, and that’s what people need if they’re working, learning, or doing healthcare from home,” Peckford said.
The findings will be presented to members of the Municipal Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee, who will then provide recommendations to council.
Residents can take part in the survey by heading here, while business owners can head here.