Town announces 35km of new fibre optic cable along Caledon Trailway

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

The Town of Caledon has partnered with service telecommunications company Vianet, to install  35 kilometres of new fibre optic cable along the Caledon Trailway. 

The initial proposal was addressed in the 2018-2022 Council Work Plan. In the early months of 2019, The Town of Caledon issued a proposal to provide high-speed internet to eight locations in Caledon that were identified in the Town's Broadband Gap Analysis. 

“Having access to high speed internet is absolutely vital in today's economy,” said Mayor Allan Thompson in a previous news release. “The new fibre in the Bolton Industrial Park will provide Caledon businesses access to the services and technology they need to compete locally, nationally or internationally. Our Council has never wavered in trying to find solutions to addressing this vital community need. During this term of Council, we are focused on taking even more action to bring broadband to more homes and businesses in Caledon.”

On Jan 27, Mayor Allan Thompson alongside several members of Council gathered on the Caledon Trailway in Inglewood to make an announcement on Phase 2 of the installation of the future expansion of high-speed internet. 

Joining them was Brian McCullagh, Director of Business Development of Vianet who expressed his excitement of the installation and working with the Town of Caledon.

“Vianet is excited to be working with the Town of Caledon to provide this fibre optic backbone running along the rail trail,” said McCullagh. “This will give Vianet the ability to deliver high speed services in the area, as well upgrade our existing tower locations near the trail to deliver higher speeds and a more reliable wireless network. The high-speed backbone gives us a jumping off point to further build rural fibre broadband and provide better service in the area that is so desperately needed.” 

The entire $1.4 million project is being funded by Vianet. 

Several schools and surrounding businesses look forward to benefitting by having high-speed internet access. Barbara Lord , Principal of the private school King's College, located on The Gore Road in Caledon East, explains that students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge with better access for learning.

“We are really excited about this opportunity and can hardly wait to be connected,” said Lord. “This will allow us to better connect our students to the broader world and give them the chance to take advantage of many new opportunities to enhance their learning.” 

The installation of the 35km fibre optic cable is to begin this coming spring and is expected to be complete by the end of summer. This will allow 85 percent of Caledon in range of the line to have access to new high-speed internet.