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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2015-08-19, Page 3Wednesday, August 19, 2015 Local providers offer alternative to SWIFT Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal Star Local Internet providers would like the county to consider another method to bring more broadband Internet to rural customers. At the August 12 meeting, Independent Telecommunica- tions Providers Association (ITPA) executive director Jona- than Holmes told county coun- cillors their proposal would be an efficient alternative to the SWIFT project proposed by the Western Ontario Wardens Cau- cus (WOWC). The SWIFT project could see the development of a high- speed fibre optic regional network. The WOWC represents the counties of Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, Simcoe, Welling- ton, Brant, Oxford, Middlesex, Lambton, Essex, Chatham -Kent, Elgin and Norfolk as well as the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Holmes said the SWIFT pro- ject is focusing on building a "transport network" between larger cities, however, he argued such a network is already in place. Holmes said under its plan, the ITPA would focus on bringing broadband Internet to so-called "last mile" customers, those in more rural areas. "We've trying to get SWIFT to change their minds and see it from the perspective of local Internet providers," Holmes said. He urged council that investing into SWIFT would be spending money on resources that are already established and there is no guarantee that the "last mile" infrastructure will be a top priority. According to Holmes, south- western Ontario proposal is similar to two other projects, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network and Alberta SuperNet. "The Alberta SuperNet didn't change connectivity for rural cus- tomers," Holmes said, adding they have been told, "nobody uses the Eastern Ontario Regional Network." Holmes said another differ- ence with their plan is the county would have more direct input. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he agrees that under SWIFT "there is no guar- antee where the money will go first." He suggested that the county develop its own plan and go to the province with it. "I don't know if we would be able to put a business plan forth, but I'd like to think we can," MacLellan said. MacLellan said by developing its own plan, the county would have more control over the development of broadband Internet in the region. Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Deputy Reeve Roger Watt is the Huron County representative on the SWIFT project steering committee. He said he has been involved with the type of plans MacLellan was suggesting, and it would likely be "just as expensive" as the work that has gone into the SWIFT project so far. He feels there have been mis- takes made in regards to the SWIFT project but there needs to be investment in both the "last mile" infrastructure and an overall network. CAO Brenda Orchard told coun- cil that local, independent tele- communications providers in Huron County have more customers in comparison to other regions within the WOWC. Holmes said those involved with seaforthhuronexpositor.com ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Naron Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuroneexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS the SWIFT project have given "mis- leading" information about the amount of customers independent providers serve, especially when faced with ITPA's increasing opposition. Central Huron Deputy Mayor Dave Jewitt said he would need to see a more detailed business plan before supporting the ITPA's proposal. Holmes said they are early in the process and more information is forthcoming to council. Representatives from SWIFT and the ITPA were scheduled to meet last Friday. Scoreboard Shuffleboard scores August 12 Men's high: Arnold Ramsey, Ralph Gaudet, Cor Vanden Hoven, Antonio D. and Red Vantyghem 3 wins. Women's high: Joyce Matzold, Charlotte Norton 3 wins. • Huron Expositor 3 OFFICE 519-482-3400-L MCI1 ?i 1 Albert Street, Clinton 111 111110001141 ��+r www.rlpheartland.ca 11111 t Helping you is what we do. TM 1111 f • ism NMI To view all our listings go to: www.rlpheartland.ca ONE OF A KIND . 2 ACRES 7063 Perth Line 24, West Perth $595,000 Call Sherry MLS#410625 }r HERITAGE HOME B&B -1.: 71 Kirk St., Clinton $619,500 Call Rick or Fred MLS#528113 37568 Telephone Rd., Clinton $629,000 Call Fred or Rick MLS#554877 f NEWER HOME 160 Sills St., Seaforth $210,000 Call Sherry MLS#163244 0111171 '!).:4717.7.41' CHARMING 2 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS 43 1st Ave., Vanastra $449,000 Call Fred or Rick MLS#943078 171 Victoria St., Clinton $179,900 Call Sherry MLS#226962 • Fred Lobb** Rick Lobb*** Richard Lobb Sr.* Sherry McLaughlin* Cell: 519-955-0012 Cell: 519-525-1174 Cell: 519-955-0163 Cell: 519-301-2879 Broker of Record`** Broker/Owner** Sales Representative*