News

High-Performance Broadband for Nipissing First Nation

NORTH BAY – MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to announce that the government of Ontario is launching an innovative project that will bring high-performance broadband access to under-served residents located across multiple communities within the boundaries of Nipissing First Nation. This project is part of CENGN’s Northern Ontario Residential Broadband Program. It will serve as a model for other communities across the province looking to extend high performance internet service to underserved areas that are greater than 5 km from well-served locations.

“Access to reliable high-speed internet is needed for all Ontarians, no matter where they live. Businesses, families, schools and hospitals in rural and Northern communities need fast connections just as much as in urban areas,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP of Nipissing. “This innovative new project will mean secure and reliable internet connectivity for the subdivisions and multiple housing areas within the boundaries of the Nipissing First Nation, bringing long-overdue cost effective and high-speed solutions for those who live and work in the community.”

“Nipissing First Nation is proud to partner with CENGN and Leepfrog Telecom on this innovative and environmentally friendly project that will benefit 5 of our largest communities” said Chief Scott McLeod, Nipissing First Nation. “Access to reliable and cost-effective internet services is no longer a luxury, it is more necessary than ever with so many people working and learning from home.  The provision of quality broadband internet services is long overdue and will result in better connectivity for our residents and businesses, while making a minimal footprint on our lands.  We are grateful to be part of this project and for CENGN’s investment in our nation’s infrastructure needs through the Northern Ontario Residential Broadband Program . We are also excited to know that this represents a step forward in addressing similar challenges in First Nations and other communities across Ontario.  Miigwech (Thank you).”

“CENGN is pleased to work with our partners to address the barriers to high speed broadband internet access to under-served areas of the Nipissing First Nation,” said Jean-Charles Fahmy, President and CEO of CENGN. “Reliable high speed connectivity will enable a stronger local economy and new internet-based services for residents of the region. By supporting and documenting this innovative solution, CENGN will gain a strong blueprint to help address the challenges of similar communities in Northern Ontario and across the province.”

Internet Service Provider, Leepfrog Telecom, was selected to address the needs of residents living along a section of the north shore of Lake Nipissing. This project will focus on 5 major residential areas: Garden Village, Jocko Point, Meadowside, Beaucage, and Yellek, all within the Nipissing First Nation. Supported by CENGN program funding, Leepfrog Telecom will install a new innovative non-ground penetrating tower, using both 5GHz and TVWS radio technology to distribute internet services to all 5 communities.

This fixed wireless access approach will bring a range of broadband internet access services to the residents within a very rapid timeframe. The wireless technologies used will include 5GHz high speed backhaul, 5GHz WIFI distribution, and 700MHz TVWS distribution where better tree/foliage penetration is required to connect to homes.

This project promises several benefits, including:

• Environmentally friendly non-ground penetrating 100’ tower.
• Faster network build times, with services available by fall 2021.
• Improved tree penetration using Television White Space (TVWS) radio technology.
• Excellent range of new internet access services from 50 Mbps download/10 Mbps upload and up to 200 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload with NO data caps.
• New low cost VOIP phone services with unlimited long-distance plans, and new pick your own channel low-cost IP television services.

This project is part of the Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), an Ontario government program powered by CENGN in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation, which helps Ontario companies develop and demonstrate new wired and wireless technology, products and services. Other projects in the program are focused on smart mining, smart agriculture, and autonomous vehicles.

Quick Facts

• Ontario has committed $63.3 million over five years to the NGNP, which is being delivered through a partnership between CENGN, Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, and the Ontario Centre of Innovation.
• This initiative aligns with Up To Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan, delivered by the Ministry of Infrastructure.
• This project is part of the Northern Ontario Residential Broadband program, under the NGNP. CENGN is currently evaluating new project proposals and communities for upcoming rounds of the program.