The availability of broadband has recently expanded throughout Eastern Ontario and has the potential of reaching nearly all communities. Four different means are available:DSL, Cable, Wireless and Satellite.
Wireless access to high-speed internet is provided by many companies, each covering often overlapping different areas.
Click here for the wireless provider page.
Wireless requires a clear line-of-sight from an ISP's tower to the antenna. Hills, forests (especially cedar trees) and similar obstacles effectively block access to wireless reception. Valley locations may also have poor reception.
Acceptable distance coverage is 6 to 8 km from the nearest tower, 40 to 50 km for licensed spectrum (only RipNet). Not too surprisingly, and because of the line-of-sight requirement, some parts of our rural region cannot be reached by wireless. If you are one of these, satellite internet should be considered. It is also possible to link to a neighbour who can receive wireless.
Wireless broadband service may sometimes require the purchase or lease of a radio and antenna for the initial installation.