The Government of Ontario announced on November 4 that it will spend nearly $1 billion over the next six years to improve and expand broadband and cellular access across the province.

Ahead of the release of its 2020 budget on November 5, the province announced that it will spend $680 million on top of the $315 million it had already announced through its Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan initiative. The combined funding will be used for shovel-ready projects starting in 2019–20.

"By providing high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities, we will create good jobs, unlock new opportunities for businesses and people, and improve the quality of life for individuals and families," said Premier Doug Ford. "With the world online these days, if we are going to attract more investment to Ontario and compete in this highly competitive global marketplace, we need every part of our province connected with high-speed Internet."

The investment doubles funding for the Improving Connectivity in Ontario (ICON) program, and brings the new total to $300 million. When paired with the money committed by the private sector, the ICON program has the potential to leverage more than $900 million in total funding for projects across the province. ICON is one of several provincial initiatives underway to improve connectivity across Northern, Eastern and Southwestern Ontario.

Data from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission shows that more than 1.4 million people in Ontario do not have broadband or cellular access, and as many as 12 per cent of households in Ontario—mostly in rural, remote or Northern areas—are underserved or unserved from the perspective of broadband.

"This investment will connect even more residents in communities across Ontario to faster, more reliable Internet and cell service," said Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott. "Today's commitment to connect more people to reliable broadband and cellular service ― along with many others we've made ― will make it easier for more people to work and learn from home, run their businesses and connect with others."

Improving access to broadband and cellular service is one of the initial projects the province describes in its Ontario Onwards: Ontario's COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government document.

"Improving Access to Broadband and Cellular Services is a signature project of the Ontario Onwards Action Plan to make vital programs and services more convenient, more reliable, and more accessible," said Treasury Board president Peter Bethlenfalvy. " Today, we are ensuring more people and businesses can have safe and secure online access to the programs and services many of us already enjoy."