Delivering Durham’s connected future: Broadband milestone achieved ahead of schedule

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham is celebrating a major milestone as it announces substantial completion of Durham OneNet’s flagship broadband project, Project Genesis.

Enabled by federal, provincial and Regional funding, Project Genesis is a strategic partnership between the public and private sector to build secure, scalable broadband infrastructure that connects underserved communities, improves Regional services and supports economic competitiveness across Durham Region.

With more than 99 per cent of the underground fibre optic infrastructure constructed, more than 1,800 rural homes, businesses, farms and municipal sites, will now have access to reliable fibre-based broadband and high-speed internet through our project partner, Vianet, bridging a service and cost gap that rural communities have historically experienced.

Completed well ahead of the federal Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) and provincial Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program timelines, and with almost 30 per cent more premises covered than originally planned, Project Genesis is a great demonstration of a public-private partnership that is driving connectivity in Durham Region.

Funding provided by federal, provincial and regional governments was instrumental in achieving the vision of a connected Durham. There are 10 Durham Region communities, and many homes and businesses in between, that will benefit from this project including: Ashburn (Balsam, Glen Major, Chalk Lake), Uxbridge (Silver Spring Crescent), Leaskdale (Victoria Corners), Sunderland (Blackwater), Greenbank (Saintfield), Manchester, Myrtle (Myrtle and Myrtle Station), Columbus, Raglan (Raglan and Shirley) and Courtice (south Courtice). Service is available today to more than 90 per cent of the locations through Vianet, with the remaining 10 per cent expected by the end of winter 2025. 

To learn more about Durham OneNet, the Regional Broadband Network and current projects, please visit DurhamOneNet.ca.

Quotes

“The substantial completion of this project has improved broadband infrastructure in Durham Region, opening up new opportunities for economic growth, education and innovation. Congratulations to the Durham OneNet team, and its partners, on the accelerated delivery of this project.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham, and Chair of the Board, Durham OneNet

“This is a milestone achievement for Durham OneNet and our partnership with Vianet. To see newly connected communities benefiting from Project Genesis—substantially completed ahead of schedule—demonstrates our commitment to delivering a sustainable, connected future as our region continues to experience incredible growth.”

– Paul Frizado, President & CEO, Durham OneNet

“Vianet is proud to be able to say we have substantially completed the Durham fibre optic project, ahead of schedule and on budget. Thanks to our partnership with Durham OneNet and the contributions of the regional, provincial and federal governments, we have been able to continue to do what we do best—build fibre-to-the-home networks to rural Ontarians. It is with this shared vision that we will close the digital divide between urban and rural Ontario.”

– Brian McCullagh, Relationship Manager, Vianet

Quick facts

• In 2019, Durham Region launched the Durham Region Broadband Strategy – Connecting our Communities to bridge the digital divide and bring Durham Region up-to-speed with some of the best-connected communities in the world.
• In December 2021, Regional Council endorsed the establishment of Durham OneNet—a wholly owned Municipal Services Corporation of the Region of Durham to build and operate a Regional Broadband Network.
• Durham OneNet’s mandate is to extend the Region’s fibre broadband network to underserved areas of Durham Region to enable improved broadband connectivity to residents, businesses and institutions, while delivering improved Regional services and driving economic development and innovation across Durham Region.
• In 2023, Durham OneNet, through the Region of Durham, was awarded funding for Project Genesis from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada through the Universal Broadband Fund, and the Province of Ontario’s Improving Connectivity for Ontario program contributing to this $30 million investment in Durham Region.

About Durham Region

Durham Region is—simply—more. Located on the eastern side of the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Durham is a region with momentum. Offering a competitive advantage like no other, Durham is a community where talented, smart, diverse and ambitious people—known for their innovation, creativity, skills and education—bring access to world markets, insights, invention and traditions. A place where an innovative ecosystem helps propel new ideas forward. Where ingenuity and industry help tackle global challenges. Visit durham.ca to learn more about one of Canada’s fastest growing communities.

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For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.