Broadband and Cell Gap The Ignition To Success For Ontario January 30, 2019

EORN What Is EORN Developed and lead by Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC is the 13 counties of Eastern Ontario) Six of ten separated municipalities also participated Represent 1.1 million people Home to six First Nation communities Financed by local, federal and provincial governments and private sector $175m build / $260m value Who Is EORN 2010 EORN Inc. – Non-Share Non Capital formed Oversight & contract management by EORN Board Board has 9 members from public, EOWC Inc. and Eastern Ontario Mayors Committee Board in place until 2024

EORN Phase 1 $175m PPP with funding from the three levels of government and private sector led by the EOWC Backhaul transport and access networks constructed to bring up to 10 Mbps to majority of region Currently over 150,000 subscribers with improved service 160 PoPs, over 6000 km of fibre, dedicated satellite capacity for region, over 600 fixed wireless towers upgraded or built, FTTH and 63 business parks upgraded with fibre Started September 2010 completed March 2015 Administration budget < 6% Contracts in place until 2024 with private sector

The New Broadband Landscape Demand for bandwidth & speeds is growing at 50%+ year over year 2010 - Federal target was 1.5Mpbs 2015 - EORN delivers up to 10 : 1 to 89% of Eastern Ontario 2016 - CRTC sets service level target of 50:10 2017 - CRTC says 96% of urban households have it now Only 36% of rural households have it now EORN- Need to ensure our region is well serviced Where there is market failure – More public investment is required

Phase 2 Initiatives EORN municipal fibre project – over 60 municipalities have participated and receiving 100/100 fibre connection at reduced rates. Has benefitted local businesses who are close to the municipal buildings. Creation of supporting docs for use by municipalities and businesses (e-Municipal Tool Kit, Public Wi-fi whitepaper, etc.) Advocacy to CRTC and upper levels of government Work on fixing the cell mobility gaps in Eastern Ontario Currently completing an analysis of what it will take to reach or exceed the CRTC 50:10 mandate in Eastern Ontario

Municipal Fibre Project A Success Story EORN issued an RFP in July 2015 to obtain Broadband Services (focus on Fibre) available to all municipalities in the EOWC Master Business Internet Agreements have been entered into with both Bell and Nexicom for Broadband services Municipalities enter into contract directly with Bell/Nexicom if interested in the services offered Agreement has resulted in significant price reductions in the provision of 100Mbps symmetrical Fibre services Agreement for secured pricing in place until 2025 with Bell/Nexicom To date approximately $155,000 annually has been saved in the EOWC region EORN municipal fibre project – over 60 municipalities have participated and receiving 100/100 fibre connection at reduced rates Work with municipal IT group – cyber security etc.

Broadband Education and Resources EORN had developed various fact sheets and resources guides to aid municipalities in learning about connectivity: Digital Strategy eBusiness Tool Kit eMunicipal Tool Kit Municipal Public Wifi – Is it a Sound Investment Best Practices Broadband in Eastern Ontario – Technology Overview

What Can Municipalities Do? $ into reserves for infrastructure Educate local politicians Learn who the ISPs are in your area and build a relationship with them Bring your own departments together – Public Works, Planning and Economic Development can’t work in silos – need to work together Policy work to ensure connectivity is built into annual roadwork and planning requirements (subdivisions – fibre or conduit) Know what you want for connectivity in your municipality Create policy and best practices to ensure that when ISPs want to build infrastructure they are not delayed due to permitting etc. Host a hotspot or offer “free wifi” for residents at municipal buildings Work with the your local municipalities and other stakeholders to know what the needs are in your region When government funding becomes available take advantage of it if possible

Economic Development Staff They Can Make The Difference When doing your BRE get information from the businesses on what they currently have for connectivity (speeds, ISPs, needs and future wants) Connect with organizations in your area for assistance and to learn what initiatives are underway (EORN, SWIFT, etc.) Don’t assume there is good connectivity throughout your region Learn who the ISPs are in your area and build a relationship with them Start working with other departments within your organization to find possible synergies Work with the your local municipalities and other stakeholders to know what the needs are in your region Look for funding streams that would assist pushing connectivity further into your own municipalities and regions Create a database of your business parks/clusters and know what you have (internet, water, etc. be ready for investment) Many smaller communities are now receiving fibre to the home – get to know where they are and how it can impact your businesses in your communities Become advocates for connectivity in your region

Closing Thoughts Connectivity touches every aspect of most peoples lives It impacts how businesses and the public sector interact with customers and public Connectivity is needed for growth, development and most importantly for sustainability of our communities We are all in this together. There is strength in numbers and by working together we can ensure our communities thrive.

Questions and Contact Information Lisa Severson, CSRO Email: lseverson@eorn.ca Jim Pine, EORN Co-Lead Email: pinej@hastingscounty.com