Construction underway to connect 11,000 rural homes and businesses
Cobourg, ON – May 22, 2025 – Northumberland County is proud to announce that
construction of a transformative new broadband network connecting 11,000 homes and
businesses across rural Northumberland is officially underway.
Northumberland’s varied landscape has historically made access to reliable high-speed
internet a challenge. That is now changing.
With agreements finalized between Northumberland County, the federal and provincial
governments, and private sector partner Windsor Private Capital, construction has
begun to build this critical infrastructure. This project will close the digital divide in our
community, ensuring every municipality, along with Alderville First Nation, has the
connectivity needed for work, education, healthcare, and more.
High-speed internet is now taking root, with crews steadily installing fibre optic lines and
completing the first property connections. Construction will continue throughout 2025,
expanding across the county in stages, and bringing reliable, high-speed internet
access to homes, farms, and businesses across the region.
This project addresses a significant infrastructure gap, with approximately one-third of
Northumberland households currently either unserved or underserved by high-speed
internet. Originally announced in 2022 with a $26.6 million investment from the province
and an $18.4 million from the federal government through the Universal Broadband
Fund, the provincial contribution has since increased to $45.8 million, bringing the
combined federal and provincial contribution to $64.2 million. Northumberland County
has also committed $700,000 towards this vital initiative.
The network is being constructed by Axle Telecom, a Canadian-owned portfolio
company of Windsor Private Capital with extensive experience delivering broadband
solutions to rural communities. Fibre installation is taking place primarily within the
existing municipal road allowances, using underground techniques where possible and
aerial installation only when necessary. Methods such as directional drilling and plowing
are being used to minimize impacts on the environment and existing infrastructure. All
disturbed areas will be restored once construction is complete.
As construction progresses over the coming year, Axle Telecom will contact
homeowners and businesses to seek consent for a voluntary, no-cost fibre connection
from the roadside network directly to each property. Connecting to the network will
provide residents and businesses with the ability to then sign-up for high-speed internet
services, supporting needs such as online education, healthcare, agriculture, remote
work, and digital business operations.
The first phase of construction is underway in the municipalities of Port Hope and Trent
Hills. As each area is completed and network testing is finalized, residents and
businesses who have connected to the network will be able to subscribe to service
plans offered by Axle Telecom.
For an overview and background information on the project residents are encouraged to
visit Northumberland.ca/Broadband.
To learn more about internet connection plan options, residents and businesses are
encouraged to contact Axle Telecom at 1-844-702-2848 or visit Axletelecom.ca.