Residents in Hearst are getting improved internet access.
On Jan. 24, the federal government announced it's providing more than $763,000 to connect 373 Hearst households to high-speed internet.
The investment comes from the Universal Broadband Fund, a $2.75-billion pot of money targetted at connecting 98 per cent of Canadians to high-speed internet — with download speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 10 Mbps — by 2026.
The government's overarching goal is to get 100 per cent of Canadians connected by 2030.
The announcement was welcomed by Tania Cossette, general manager of the Hearst Connect, the town-owned corporation tasked with boosting the area's internet and telephone access.
“Reliable and ultra-fast internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” Cossette said in a news release.
“Hearst Connect would like to thank the Government of Canada for its commitment to improving broadband services for rural and remote communities, as well as the residents of Hearst and its surroundings for their continued support for Hearst Connect.”
Hearst is a community of approximately 5,000 people located about three hours northwest of Timmins.
