Construction is expected to start this summer on an all-fibre broadband network in Chatham-Kent.
In a joint release, Bell and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent announced Wednesday morning that Bell will be bringing the network to approximately 38,000 residents and business locations across the area.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope says it's a major step forward for the community.
“Enhanced communications capability is one of the keys to the future and a strategy I’ve been working on for our communities,” says Hope.
The service is expected to start in Chatham before expanding to Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury, and Wallaceburg.
Bell says the fibre to the premises (FTTP) service will allow users to access speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) now and speeds of 40+ Gbps in future. It will also give users access to next-generation television services including Fibe TV and Alt TV.
The development will be fully funded by Bell, with the first customer connections expected in the fall of 2018.
Bell is also expected to use innovative installation techniques in order to minimize disruptions to residents and businesses.