Internet

Internet Service in Caledon

The Town of Caledon is advocating for internet service across Caledon. Learn more about resources and initiatives from partner agencies to help deliver this critical service. 

Internet Grant Program

The Town has introduced a grant for residents in underserviced areas to help offset the cost towards the purchase of a device to access high speed internet.

Test your internet performance to see if you are eligible to apply. Households with an internet speed below 25mbps/5mbps are eligible. Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a screenshot, picture or pdf file of the internet performance result with the application.

Eligible devices include hot spots, satellite dishes or similar technology from any internet service provider, but does not include fibre, mobile or smart phones. The device must be purchased prior to applying. Check the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map where you can search your address and see what providers service your area.

If you would like to access the Ontario High-Speed Internet Projects & Availability map provided through the Province, please click here.

Test your internet performance  Apply now

Broadband in Caledon

On July 12, 2023 Rogers received federal funding to complete Caledon’s broadband expansion project – delivering high-speed internet to every Caledon household by the end of 2025. The Town, in partnership with Rogers, will continue to provide updates about order of installation or detailed timelines as they become available.

The most recent update on the Town’s Broadband Work Plan was provided to Council on November 16, 2021. For information on the update, view to the Memorandum to Council, Update on Broadband Work Plan.

The Town of Caledon broadband service map shows Town-provided free WiFi locations, information about constructions projects to improve broadband, as well as data about internet performance across Caledon. 

View the map

Current projects

July 12, 2023 -- Rogers received federal funding to complete Caledon’s broadband expansion project – delivering high-speed internet to every Caledon household by the end of 2025.
November 8, 2021 -- Town announces construction of the backbone fibre-optic network on a section of the Caledon Trailway from Gore Road to Olde Base Line. 

May 4, 2021 -- The Town introduced the Internet Grant Program for residents in underserviced areas to help offset the cost towards the purchase of a device to access high speed internet. Apply now.

January 25, 2021 -- Vianet begins construction of new high-speed fibre-optic networks in north-east and central Caledon as part of SWIFT broadband expansion plans. SWIFT announcement here. 

November 2, 2020 -- The Town of Caledon and Vianet complete over 8km of fibre installation through the Bolton commercial district. 

October 23, 2020 -- The Town delivers petition to declare broadband an essential service, with over 2,000 signatures, to Dufferin-Caledon federal and provincial representatives.

September 28, 2020 -- SWIFT awards funding to support three fibre-to-the-home projects to bring broadband services to more than 990 underserved households and businesses in Caledon. 

July 2020 -- The Town publishes a petition to declare broadband an essential service. The petition, addressed to Dufferin-Caledon federal and provincial representatives, closes on October 12, 2020.

January 2020 -- Vianet and the Town of Caledon announce the implementation of a 35 km backbone fibre network to be installed along the Caledon Trailway.

December 2019 -- The Town of Caledon partners with the Canadian Internet Registry Authority (CIRA) to gather internet performance data and identify locations where internet is not available. Through email, newspaper and social media, residents and property owners are encouraged to take the Internet Performance Test.

October 2019 -- The Town of Caledon and Vianet announce a project to install more than 8 kms of fibre through the Bolton commercial district. 
 Background

In its Work Plan, Caledon Council highlights the need to expand our high speed internet infrastructure. As the Town of Caledon Internet Performance map shows there are many areas in Caledon with poor or no internet service.

We recognize that internet service providers aren't building internet infrastructure parts of Caledon because it is too expensive. This can be because there are too few customers. For most residents, however, broadband is seen as an essential service. Our goal is to help reduce the initial investment for the providers to ensure that all residents have access to broadband.

We have joined Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) in response to Town Council's April 28, 2015 direction to develop a town wide internet strategy. This initiative will deliver a scaleable, future ready, fibre optic based network across the Southern Ontario region which will include Caledon.

During the 2016 Budget process, Council established the "Broadband Levy", which was intended to be a long term financial vehicle used to facilitate the development and expansion High Speed Broadband Internet services for residents and businesses, in alignment with Council's Broadband Internet Workplan objective.

The 2023 budget discontinued the broadband levy as it is no longer required by the Town.

Broadband levy: Frequently asked questions

Find out more about why we had a levy on your property tax for internet service.

Why did we have a broadband levy? 
In order to provide high speed broadband Internet service to the Town of Caledon, we had established a broadband levy. This levy collected approximately $300,000 per year, which is approximately $11 per household per year. The broadband levy did appear on your property tax bill. You paid this fee as part of your property taxes, however, it was set aside specifically for the development of broadband infrastructure.
Did I have to pay the levy if I already had internet access?
Yes. This was a town-wide initiative and investment to provide reliable high speed internet to our community. Broadband infrastructure improves the quality of life for all residents allowing people to study and work from home and communicate globally. This levy was also an investment in our economic growth. With improved connectivity we will support small businesses, making the Town commercially competitive and allow us to attract businesses to our community.
Who else is contributing to this?
The federal and provincial governments are also contributing to this infrastructure project in Ontario.
How was this levy spent?
We committed $634,062 to fund the first phase of the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project from this levy. This was combined with other municipalities funding to leverage even more dollars for providers as well as the Federal and Provincial governments for the expansion of broadband. The levy may have also been used to fund other broadband related projects.

 

How can I give feedback about my internet service?

If you're unsatisfied with your Internet service, we suggest raising this issue with your Internet service provider (ISP). ISPs are responsible for the equipment they offer, billing and marketing practices, quality of service and customer relations. If your Internet service doesn't improve, you can:

If your issue falls outside the mandate of the CCTS, you may wish to contact the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Volunteers Needed to Measure Broadband 

Measuring Broadband Canada is a federal government effort to assess the quality of high-speed Internet services across Canada. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has launched the third phase of the Measuring Broadband Canada project focussing on the performance of fixed wireless Internet services. Fixed wireless Internet data such as speed and reliability will be collected from volunteers across Canada to create a comprehensive picture of broadband performance to help consumers make informed choices and encourage internet service providers to improve their networks.

Volunteers can participate by installing a small measurement device provided by SamKnows in their homes. This device monitors the performance of their Internet connection and sends Internet performance data to the CRTC. The project is conducted with full privacy protections to ensure volunteers' personal information remains confidential. Caledon residents are invited to sign up to participate in the federal program. To learn more visit Measuring Broadband Canada.