Broadband

Broadband access has been identified as a key priority for both residents and businesses by the District and the Muskoka Economic Recovery Task Force (MERTF). Several federal and provincial funding programs are anticipated to assist in expanding broadband across Ontario and Canada. To help expedite Broadband expansion in Muskoka a Broadband Subcommittee and a Regional Broadband Strategy were developed. The strategy can be found in Report FSC-1-2002-5 and the Muskoka Community Broadband Summary can be found in Report FCS-3-2021-1.

Broadband Update June 2023 - In May the Province launched a new interactive map that will make it easier for residents and businesses to learn more about provincially funded high-speed internet projects across the province. Users can search the map by address, community or municipality to find project details, including information on construction status and internet service providers that will be delivering reliable high-speed internet in unserved and underserved communities.

Where/When is Broadband Expanding in Muskoka

Staff is also meeting with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to determine when, where, and how broadband expansion will happen in Muskoka so we can give residents and visitors maps and the most up-to-date information. To date neither the Province nor ISPs have provided mapping or indication of their expansion plans. Early indications are the ASHIP program will start expansion in early Q2. As ISPs provide their expansion plans, the Broadband Subcommittee will update this Engage page with all relevant information as a one-stop location for news and updates.

Stay Tuned!

More details of the strategy and the status of the implementation are coming soon.

You can stay informed and follow this project to receive updates when new information is added.

Provincial Legislative Changes

Subsequent to the release of the Strategy, in April 2022 the Province passed the ‘Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022’, where updates and changes were made to the ‘Building Broadband Faster Act’ (BBFA) and the ‘Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act’, 2012 (One Call Act). These changes are designed to help ensure cooperation among stakeholders, set out clear expectations around timelines and processes, and try and limit the kind of things that historically have delayed broadband deployment. They also compel Municipalities to respond, or approve applications within tight timelines.

District and Area Municipal Roles

To address these legislative changes and expedite Broadband expansion in Muskoka the Broadband Subcommittee and District and Area Municipalities Engineering and Public Works Departments are working closely together to harmonize policies that would make the application process more efficient and speed up Broadband expansion.