Northern Ontario Residential Broadband Program
Under the Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), CENGN enabled innovative projects across Northern Ontario that demonstrate technology solutions that offer flexible, lower cost, higher performance residential broadband access for Northern Ontario communities. These live technology projects were funded for 3-6 months, and designed to test new technologies and validate business case solutions to improve high-speed internet access to residences within Northern Ontario communities.
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- Carling Township
- Iron Bridge
- Temagami and Temagami First Nation
- Nipissing First Nation
- City of Kenora
- Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation
- Ahmic Harbour and Ahmic Lake
CARLING TOWNSHIP – PROJECT COMPLETE
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CENGN has completed this Northern Project with Carling Township as the community project partner, working with the West Parry Sound SMART Community Network organization as a key community advocate, and Vianet as the tech project partner. Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
The problem statement for this project was “a technology solution was required to extend broadband or high-speed internet access out to a secondary Point of Presence (POP) that is 3-10 km away, for a low cost, high-capacity middle-kilometer solution. The solution will extend broadband capacity from one part of the community to a remote site 3-10 km away such as a residential cluster, or adjacent residential community with limited or no internet access.”
In this case, a POP extension of 13.5 km from the Town of Parry Sound to Carling Township was implemented to address the problem statement for this community.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
The technology solution involved the following key components:
- Building a new 200 foot telecommunications tower in Carling Township
- Installing new licensed microwave equipment on the new tower in Carling Township
- Replacing existing radio equipment with new licensed microwave equipment on the 200 foot SMART Network tower in Parry Sound
- Using a 13.5km 15GHz licensed microwave link to extend the Vianet POP to Carling Township
- Installing 4 km of new conduit and fibre in the shoulder of the road on Rockliff Drive and Bayview Drive in Carling Township
- Installing fibre to the home for up to 200 homes in Carling Township
Key business case innovations:
- No last km pole rental or pole replacement costs
- 85% cost reduction over middle km costs by using microwave link vs fibre
- No middle km pole rental or pole replacement costs
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
Key value for the community of this implementation:
- New reliable 50/10 high-speed broadband internet services to underserved residents
- Future-proof fibre access for residents
- Blueprint technology solution easily applicable to 6 other nearby communities
- Currently 4 other spinoff projects underway using same technology solution
- New tower links two other nearby communities and offers new FWA for homes up to 10 km away
RESOURCES
Project Partners
IRON BRIDGE – PROJECT COMPLETE
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CENGN has completed this Northern Project with Iron Bridge as the community project partner and Leepfrog Telecom as the tech project partner. Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
The problem statement for this project was “a technology solution was required to provide a is required to provide a cost-effective, self-configuring, high-resilience, point-to-multi-point wireless solution covering distances of 1-3 km from the broadband POP in the community of Iron Bridge.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
The technology solution involved the following key components:
- Building a new 100 foot non-ground penetrating telecommunications tower in Iron Bridge
- Installing new unlicensed 24GHz microwave 300m link between the Huron Shores Municipal Building to the new tower in Iron Bridge
- Installing new unlicensed radio equipment, with 2.4GHz, and 5GHz WIFI fixed wireless internet access support on the new 100 foot tower in Iron Bridge
- Installing new licensed TVWS radio equipment, with 700MHz TVWS fixed wireless internet access support on the new 100 foot tower in Iron Bridge
- Installing a 3.65GHz IoT Internet Backhaul Backup link on the new 100 foot tower in Iron Bridge
- Installing a solar-powered equipment shed at the base of the new 100 foot tower in Iron Bridge
Key business case innovations:
- Accelerated service deployment with non-ground penetrating telecommunications tower
- Wide range of low cost, no-data cap services
- LOS and non-LOS wireless access options
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
Key value for the community of this implementation:
- New reliable 150/15, and wide range of high-speed broadband internet services to underserved residents
- Blueprint technology solution easily applicable to 6 other nearby communities
- Currently 3 other spinoff projects planned using same technology solution
- Multiple fixed wireless internet access options available depending on LOS or non-LOS
- Value-added VOIP-TV and VOIP-Phone services available
RESOURCES
Project Partners
TEMAGAMI & TEMAGAMI FIRST NATION – PROJECT COMPLETE
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CENGN has completed this Northern Project with Temagami and Temagami First Nation as the community project partners and Leepfrog Telecom as the tech project partner. Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
The technology design proposed for the project will extend broadband services from an existing broadband point of presence (POP) in a waterfront community to nearby homes or residences with limited or no broadband high-speed internet access, that are across and surrounding a large nearby waterbody (such as a lake, river, or extended wetland).
The required solution will extend broadband capacity directly from an existing optical fibre broadband POP at the ambulance garage in Temagami, then connect using wireless connections within the town site of Temagami, extending to the townsite of North Temagami, and then connect via a new tower site located at the hub of Lake Temagami, to extend high-speed internet access the outlying waterfront and nearby homes and offer residential broadband access for homes and cottages up to 10 – 12 km away.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
The CENGN project will drive installation of multiple fixed-wireless microwave radio links between the Temagami Fire Tower, the Temagami Water Tower, the Temagami North Water Tower, a new small tower at the Temagami Ambulance Garage, a small tower at the Temagami Municipal Office, and a new 200’ tower near the hub of Lake Temagami. The links will distribute internet access services to Temagami, Temagami North, Temagami First Nation, and to other residents of Lake Temagami. This connectivity will offer high-speed internet access to over 300 residences. The broadband deployment includes the following innovations:
- New 200 ft radio tower in the hub region of the lake (will also allow for future expansion opportunities to other communities)
- 600 MHz TVWS radio technology over 10 km distances (with excellent tree cover penetration for higher internet access speeds)
- 5 GHz radio technology for even higher speeds (up to 200Mbps Down / 20 Mbps Up) over distances of up to 20 kms to the residents of Bear Island and the rest of the Temagami Lake area
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
The following are the direct benefits to the Temagami and Temagami First Nation residents of this project:
- Broadband extension to the Temagami First Nation community with a new tower, that will also reach throughout Lake Temagami shorelines
- High-reliability, high-performance broadband internet access up to 200 Mbps download / 20Mbps upload for residents extended across all 3 arms of Lake Temagami (north, south, & east)
- Use of two types of new wireless technologies, including new TVWS technology, to ensure the best quality internet access service in dense forest conditions
- Implementation will use 3 existing towers in North Temagami, and Temagami to distribute the signals throughout the two communities
- Model for low-cost expansion to surrounding communities as required with lower cost investments of $250,000 – $500,000 for each expansion phase (with matching industry investments)
RESOURCES
Project Partners
NIPISSING FIRST NATION – PROJECT COMPLETE
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CENGN has completed this Northern Project with Nipissing First Nation as the community project partners and Leepfrog Telecom as the tech project partner. Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
This project was “Looking for a Northern Ontario community that needed to extend broadband service from a part of the community that is well served in a down-town, or a more-densely populated area, to an underserved area in one or more out-lying lower-density residential areas greater than 5 km out, but still within the municipal boundaries of the host community.”
In this case, the underserved residential communities within the territorial boundaries of the Nipissing First Nation included Garden Village, Jocko Point, Meadowside, Beaucage, and Yellek, which are spread out along the north shore of Lake Nipissing.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
This CENGN project will drive installation of a fixed-wireless microwave radio link between a new small 50’ tower in Garden Village and a new 100’ non-ground penetrating tower at Jocko Point which will distribute high-speed internet to all 5 sites along the north shore of Lake Nipissing. The radio links will distribute internet access services to over 300 homes using two different radio technologies to ensure maximum service availability for residents. The broadband deployment includes the following innovations:
- Use of a Single Non-Ground Penetrating 100ft Tower (minimum environmental impact)
- New 700 MHz TV White Space (TVWS) microwave radio technology for maximum tree cover penetration (for higher speed internet access in dense tree cover areas)
- 5 GHz radio technology for even higher speeds (up to 200 Mbps Download / 20 Mbps Upload) over distances of up to 15 kms to the residents of Garden Village, Jocko Point, Meadowside, Beaucage, and Yellek
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
The CENGN project will result in significantly reduced cost of extending the broadband access to the 5 communities, with the following community benefits:
- Significantly Better Internet Access + Low-Cost Telephone + Low-Cost Video service
- Access to 50 Mbps down speed/10 Mbps up speed and up to 200 Mbps down speed /20 Mbps up speed with no data caps
- Proven cost-effective method to add new tower for expanding improved internet services if required as community grows.
- Only single 100’ Non-Penetrating Tower Required for whole community.
- Fast deployment to meet needs of pandemic internet work at home, learn at home demands.
- Wider 50/10 Mbps or higher service access to remote parts of the community.
- Minimal environmental impact due to non-ground penetrating tower
RESOURCES
Project Partners
CITY OF KENORA – PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY
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CENGN has selected City of Kenora as the community project partner and Camp Communications as the local wireless ISP technology project partner for this Northern Ontario Residential Broadband Project. Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
This project was “Looking for a Northern Ontario community that needed to extend broadband service from a part of the community that is well served in a down-town, or a more-densely populated area, to an underserved area in one or more out-lying lower-density residential areas greater than 5 km out, but still within the municipal boundaries of the host community.”
In this case, the area within the municipal boundaries of the City of Kenora which was underserved was a northern lake area, that included the following 4 lakes, Black Sturgeon Lake, Schnarr Lake, Grassy Lake, and Austin Lake.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
This CENGN project will drive installation of multiple fixed-wireless microwave radio links between tree-based micro-wave radio installations. These installations will link to distribution sites on each of the smaller lakes and at least 5 sites on Black Sturgeon Lake. The internet access services will then be distributed to over 300 residents through fibre optic segments carried along cottage access roads on hydro poles. The broadband deployment includes the following innovations:
- Use of trees instead of metal towers for radio signal distribution across the lake region (no new towers/no Lighting or negative impact)
- New 60 GHz microwave radio technology for backhaul (with 24 GHz backup for resiliency)
- 5 GHz radio technology for even higher speeds (up to 150Mbps Download / 30 Mbps Upload) over distances of up to 10 kms to the residents of Black Sturgeon Lake, Schnarr Lake, Grassy Lake, and Austin Lake
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
The following are the direct benefits to the Kenora Northern Lake Region residents of this project:
- Broadband extension to the lake-side residents of Black Sturgeon Lake, Schnarr Lake, Grassy Lake, and Austin Lake
- High-reliability, high-performance broadband internet access for residents extended across the lakes through tree-based radio systems connecting to fibre optic networks extending along local cottage roads
- Dramatically faster build times to get high speed internet out to each of the 4 lake regions
- Model for low-cost expansion to surrounding communities with investments of $250,000 – $500,000 for each expansion phase (with matching industry investments)
RESOURCES
Project Partners
MIGISI SAHGAIGAN FIRST NATION PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY
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CENGN has selected Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation as the community project partners and Camp Communications as the local wireless ISP technology project partner for this Northern Ontario Residential Broadband Project.
Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
The technology design proposed for the project will extend broadband services from an existing broadband point of presence (POP) needs to deliver a self-configuring, high-resilience, point-to-
multipoint, fixed-wireless last-kilometer solution, covering distances of 1 – 3 km from the existing broadband Point-of-Presence (POP) in the community, as part of a highly innovative last kilometer (km) residential broadband solution.
The required solution will extend broadband capacity directly from an existing optical fibre broadband POP in the nearby village of Eagle River, then connect using 20km of underwater fibre optic connections down the riverbed of Eagle River, across the lakebed of Eagle Lake, extending to the Community of Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation to extend high-speed internet access to up to 90 residents using a last km wireless solution.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
The CENGN project will drive installation of a new 100’ fixed-wireless radio tower, that will network with 2 existing towers, a water tower in the community, and a tower at the existing band office, to provide an improved LOS radio solution to reach all parts of the community. The fully meshed set of 3 radio towers will ensure strong signal strength to all homes in the community. This connectivity will offer high-speed internet access to over 90 residences. The broadband deployment includes the following innovations:
- New 100 ft radio tower near the existing ball diamonds
- 20km of Future Proof Underwater Fibre Optic Cable installed to connect to the Eagle River Optical POP
- 5 GHz radio technology for even higher speeds (up to 150Mbps Down / 15 Mbps Up) over distances of up to 3 kms to the residents of Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation
- Backup wireless connection to Eagle River via 300’ Tower owned by the community at Swanson Lake
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
The following are the direct benefits to the Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation residents of this project:
- Broadband extension to the Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation community with a new tower, and use of 2 existing towers that will ensure strong radio coverage and internet access services to all parts of the community
- High-reliability, high-performance broadband internet access up to 150 Mbps download / 15 Mbps upload for residents with no data caps and affordable monthly rates
- Future-proof 20km fibre optic underwater cable connection to Eagle River for high-capacity data to the community
- Fibre connection to school, youth centre, police services, and water treatment plant
- Low-cost phone services as well as internet access will be offered
RESOURCES
Project Partners
AHMIC HARBOUR & AHMIC LAKE AREA PROJECT COMPLETE
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CENGN has completed this Northern Project with the Ahmic Harbour and Ahmic Lake Area of the Municipality of Magnetawan as the community project partners and Spectrum Telecom – Netspectrum as the tech project partner. Read below for more details:
PROJECT PROBLEM STATEMENT
This project was “Looking for a Northern Ontario community that needed to extend broadband service from an existing broadband POP in a waterfront community to nearby homes or residences, with limited or no broadband high-speed internet access, that are across and surrounding a large nearby waterbody (such as a lake, river, or extended wetland)”.
The required solution will extend broadband capacity directly from an existing broadband POP within the selected host northern Ontario waterfront community, or using a network of extended POPs, access the outlying waterfront and nearby homes to extend residential broadband access for homes and cottages up to 3-5 km away.
In this case, the underserved residential communities will include residents of the Village of Magnetawan, the Village of Ahmic Harbour, residents of Beaver Lake, and residents of Ahmic Lake. Most subscribers of the new services will be spread out along the shorelines of the two lakes.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
This CENGN project will drive installation of a fixed-wireless microwave radio link between a new self-supporting 184’ tower in the Village of Ahmic Harbour and an upgraded existing 300’ tower in the village of Magnetawan. Two additional new wireless radio towers will be built near Ahmic Lake, one at Cedar Croft and on at the bottom of the Lake at Rosskopf, which will distribute high-speed internet from multiple different directions. The radio links will distribute internet access services to over 300 homes using two different radio technologies to ensure maximum service availability for residents. The broadband deployment includes the following innovations:
- Use of a Small-footprint Self-Supporting Towers on Unused Road Allowances (minimum footprint for minimal environmental impact)
- Use of multiple lower height free-standing towers (with no lighting to minimize visual impact of new radio towers)
- 65 GHz LTE radio Technology (for 25 Mbps Download / 5 Mbps Upload) internet access in dense tree cover areas
- 5 GHz radio technology for even higher speeds (up to 50 Mbps Download / 10 Mbps Upload) for those lakeside residents with clear line of site to the new towers
VALUE FOR COMMUNITY
The CENGN project will result in significantly reduced cost of extending the broadband access to the lakeside communities, with the following community benefits:
- Significantly Better Internet Access for Village and Lake-side Residents
- Multiple Wireless Options for residential access to 25 Mbps down speed/5 Mbps and 50 Mbps down speed/10 Mbps up speed with no data caps
- Proven cost-effective method to add small footprint towers on un-used road allowances.
- Multiple lower profile tower network design to ensure better radio coverage broadcasting from multiple locations and directions around Ahmic Lake for better internet access services.
- Fast deployment to meet needs of pandemic internet work at home, learn at home demands.
- Lower towers to minimize visual impact of towers along scenic lakeshores.
- Minimal environmental impact due to use of small footprint self-supporting towers.
RESOURCES
Project Partners
For inquiries related to the Northern Ontario Residential Broadband Program please contact:
Broadband@cengn.ca