MEDIA RELEASE

February 28, 2010

BARRETT XPLORE AND BELL ALIANT to BUILD BROADBAND NETWORKS in the COUNTY OF LENNOX & ADDINGTON

Today the County of Lennox and Addington announced that both Barrett Xplore Inc. (BXI) and Bell Aliant have been selected to provide Broadband Services as part of the County’s Rural Connections Broadband project. Bell Aliant will be deploying wired broadband service and Barrett Xplore Inc. will be providing fixed wireless service through its Xplornet brand. The choice of two Service Providers allows for the most appropriate and cost effective service to be available for the varied population density within the County.

“Broadband service is critical to the economic development of our communities, and a requirement to provide health care and educational services across the County. Today’s announcement is an important step towards ensuring that more of our residents have access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet services,” stated Henry Hogg, Warden of Lennox and Addington.

Over 2,200 additional residences and businesses within Lennox and Addington will be able to receive broadband services with the County Broadband project. Expanded service will be available in and around the communities of Adolphustown, Napanee, Strathcona, Camden East, Newburgh, Roblin, Erinsville, Enterprise, Tamworth and Flinton. These services are expected to be available starting in early summer in some areas, with the project completed by year end.

“The work we will do in the County of Lennox and Addington is characteristic of Bell’s vigilance in our quest to offer our valued customers the products and services they desire,” explains Diane Winters, Regional Manager Business Development, Bell Aliant. “Our commitment to rural broadband expansion is unwavering and we look forward with great anticipation to this prolific partnership opportunity.”

“Barrett Xplore is proud to be a part of this important project that will help support the long-term sustainability of Lennox and Addington,” said Bob Davie, BXI Vice President. “We are committed to offering fast, reliable and affordable high-speed Internet solutions to help local businesses and residents access enhanced online services and opportunities.” 

This is the first of two broadband programs within the County. The second program is the Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network (EORN). This key project of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus includes the establishment of a Transport/Backbone Fibre Ring and subsequently additional Broadband Access. This multi-year program is expected to begin implementation in 2011, and will allow more affordable broadband deployment throughout Eastern Ontario. More information on this project can be found at www.eowc.org. 

Funding in part for the Expanding L&A’s Broadband Network project was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Rural Connections Broadband Program. The Government of Ontario’s $30-million Rural Connections Broadband Program was designed to reduce broadband infrastructure gaps in underserved rural regions in southern Ontario. Funding of up to $621,800 was obtained through the Rural Connections Broadband Program. The remaining two-thirds of the construction budget is being contributed by the project’s private sector partners, Barrett Xplore Inc. and Bell Aliant.

Detailed service coverage information will only be provided through Bell Aliant and Xplornet closer to the launch dates. At that time, information will be available on the County’s website.

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For more information contact:
Tracey McKenzie
Deputy Clerk
County of Lennox and Addington
Phone: 613.354.4883
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information on Broadband and the County of Lennox and Addington

About Barrett Xplore Inc.
Headquartered in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Barrett Xplore Inc. operates Xplornet Internet Services, Canada’s largest rural broadband provider, with customers and dealers in every province and territory. Barrett Xplore Inc. aims to bridge the urban/rural digital divide by ensuring that every Canadian, regardless of where they live, has access to broadband, thereby enabling them to compete effectively in the global economy and gain access essential government and educational services. For more information visit www.xplornet.com.

About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) is one of North America’s largest regional communications providers and an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services and advanced technology solutions. Bell Aliant’s employees are committed to deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.