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

2. 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

3. 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

4. The New Broadband Landscape
Demand for bandwidth & speeds is growing at 50%+ year over year
Federal target was 1.5Mpbs
EORN delivers up to 10 : 1 to 89% of Eastern Ontario
CRTC sets service level target of 50:10
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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Questions and Contact Information
Lisa Severson, CSRO Jim Pine, EORN Co-Lead