Written By David Gomez
MOUNT BRYDGES - In a landmark move for rural internet access, the North Frontenac Telephone Company (NFTC) has connected its first customer in Middlesex County as part of the Province of Ontario’s initiative to bring reliable high speed internet connectivity to rural Ontario. This step forward highlights NFTC’s dedication to closing the digital gap in rural Ontario. The inaugural connection took place at VE Farms, owned by Joe Vanden Elzen, situated at 8918 Falconbridge Dr., Mount Brydges.
Vanden Elzen, a local farmer, expressed his satisfaction with NFTC’s service, citing reliability and speed as key factors in choosing the provider. “NFTC was able to offer a solution for our farms and home that will allow us to operate a business, seamlessly stream online, and enjoy TV without constant interruptions,” he noted. Before NFTC, the available copper and wireless options were insufficient, forcing the farm to implement workarounds to manage slow speeds. The new direct fibre connections now enable high-speed connectivity across all farm buildings at competitive rates.
The impact of this reliable service extends beyond business operations. Vanden Elzen highlighted the benefits for family and workers, saying, “It will allow us to have one less thing to worry about. In the past, buffering and outages impacted our operations and ability to work and complete school work from home. For our offshore workers, the new high-speed service will provide great opportunities to stay connected with their families back home.”
Scott Nielsen, Regional Sales Manager at NFTC, emphasized the importance of local telecommunications providers for rural areas. “By choosing a local telecommunications provider like NFTC, Middlesex constituents benefit from a customer-focused service that is more personalized compared to larger providers. With industry-leading speed offerings, NFTC delivers internet solutions on a state-of-the-art fibre optic network comparable to those available in downtown urban cores,” he explained.
NFTC’s expansion into rural Middlesex County is part of a larger initiative supported by the Province of Ontario through the Accelerated High Speed Internet Program (AHSIP). Nielsen outlined the company’s strategy, which involves building partnerships with local municipalities and completing a new fibre optic network to serve 3500 rural residents. “Our longstanding commitment to building partnerships with local rural municipalities has allowed us to expedite construction efforts, culminating today in the connection of the first home in this transformative project,” Nielsen said. NFTC aims to complete this project ahead of the 2025 deadline.
Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, attended the installation and underscored the provincial government’s commitment to rural connectivity. “It’s very important to get the rural communities connected to internet. Since COVID, the world has changed—a lot more people work from home. By getting rural Ontario connected, we are going to end up making that easier and more effective. The provincial government is committing funding to this because they understand the importance of it and want to see it move forward,” Pinsonneault stated.
This development represents a significant advancement for Middlesex County, promising enhanced connectivity, improved quality of life, and new opportunities for local residents and businesses. As Joe Vanden Elzen succinctly put it, “With the fibre line, we now have the ability to bridge the previous digital divide.”
