A $200 million fibre-to-the-home internet project is now underway in Newfoundland, with nearly half the cost covered by taxpayers.
Ottawa and the provincial government are contributing a combined $92 million through the Universal Broadband Fund, while Xplore is paying the rest.
The initiative will extend gigabit-speed internet to about 24,000 rural households by laying 6,000 kilometres of fibre, with completion targeted for early 2027.
“Today marks the beginning of a major step forward in connecting rural Newfoundland with world-class Internet service,” said Brent Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Xplore, in a statement last week.“We’re proud to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to bring fast, reliable fibre Internet to communities that have long been underserved. This investment is about more than just infrastructure—it’s about unlocking opportunity, supporting local economies, and improving everyday life for thousands of Newfoundlanders.”
Premier John Hogan attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch the project on Friday, September 12.
Xplore says it plans to invest over $1.6 billion in rural and small-town Canada over the next two years through fibre and 5G fixed wireless networks.
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Then it should be nationalized and under ownership of the taxpayer
$8,333/house. Vs. $89 for a Starlink terminal and $129/mo. It's expensive to misdirect the Trump anger at Elon.