Durham Region recognizes the importance of adequate broadband infrastructure.
Broadband access is essential for the well-being and economic competitiveness of the region’s residents, businesses and institutions. It’s a vital piece of modern infrastructure that prepares us for the digital future.
Improving access to broadband is a strategic priority for Durham Regional Council. Increasing broadband availability in underserved areas is critical to the economic recovery of Durham Region's economy following the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing broadband services is highlighted in the Economic pillar of the Regional Recovery Framework and Action Plan.
| Regional Broadband Network |
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The Need In 2020, the Region of Durham launched a survey of residents and businesses to quantify the broadband needs across our communities. With over 2,600 respondents, we learned that median download/upload speeds across Durham are well below the CRTC standards of 50/10 (average 10.4Mbps/2Mbps). COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the challenges faced by people who don’t have access to adequate broadband. Modern and resilient broadband infrastructure is critical for businesses to take advantage of digital platforms, residents to work from home and children to participate in virtual learning. Through a request for information, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advised that the high cost of installation over Durham’s large geography is prohibitive for the private sector alone. This led us to develop a transformative project that will serve our rural and underserved communities, in partnership with Oshawa Power Utilities Corporation (OPUC) to leverage funding opportunities from Provincial and Regional Governments. Partnership The Region is exploring the creation of a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) as a separate entity that manages the broadband network to deliver the following key priorities:
The Region of Durham is currently working with OPUC to apply for existing funding opportunities from the Provincial and Federal governments. Under the proposed project, the goal is to leverage existing backbone assets from Durham Region’s traffic network and OPUC’s fibre network to reach end customers through the expansion of our broadband network and new last mile connections. OPUC, is in their 20th year of sustained broadband business growth. They currently actively serve 4 of Durham’s 8 communities with imminent planned expansion to the north, which puts them in a unique position to support Durham Region’s vision. Project details The long-term conceptual vision for broadband in Durham Region is a high-speed fibre network that will span 700 kilometres and enable all of Durham’s hamlets to be connected. |
| Broadband Survey |
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Though results of the surveys have been gathered and measured, we continue to accept survey feedback about broadband access on an ongoing basis. This allows the Region of Durham to continue to identify specific issues with service levels. Both those with good access and those with slow access should take the survey. To receive a copy of these surveys by mail, please send a request to broadband.survey@durham.ca. Short form survey: Long form survey: |
| Durham Region Broadband Strategy - Connecting our Communities |
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Access to fast, reliable and affordable internet is required by every part of society to improve the way we live, learn, do business, and create and consume content. There are different types of broadband networks, from traditional digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable lines to the more advanced fibre to the home. In some cases, wireless internet can provide a way to connect low density areas that would otherwise not have received internet services. The urban areas of Durham are generally well served and in many cases exceed the CRTC standards. Unfortunately, there are some rural communities in Durham Region that are underserved due to their geography and demographics. Realizing this service gap, the Region launched the Durham Region Broadband Strategy – Connecting our Communities to bridge the digital divide. The goal of the Broadband Strategy is to bring Durham Region up to speed with some of the best-connected communities in the world. |
| Service Providers |
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Durham Region has a variety of service providers: |
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