The Town of Tecumseh Rural Broadband Advisory Committee held its first meeting on July 14, 2021. The mandate of this committee is to advocate for areas of Tecumseh that experience poor internet connectivity speeds. Council approved the striking of the Committee at the April 27, 2021 Regular Meeting of Council with members appointed on June 8, 2021.

“In the last 18 months we have come to realize that reliable internet connectivity is needed throughout the province and especially in the Town of Tecumseh for those working and learning from home and for our businesses.” said Mayor Gary McNamara.

The need for broadband connectivity has been increasing in the last 20 years and has become more important than ever in 2021. This need has been magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic and Tecumseh has heard loud and clear from ratepayers—whether students, teleworkers or businesses in recent months that the need for reliable internet connectivity is now considered an essential service that should be made available to all. In recent years, there have been some improvements to this service but there is still a long way to go.

At their first meeting the Committee approved engaging residents and business to learn what internet speed they are experiencing via an online speed test provided by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).

“We need to understand what areas of the Town are currently underserved and this tool will provide critical data and mapping to assist with future network expansions and securing grant funding” said Brian Houston, Committee Chairperson – Ward 4 Councillor.

All residents and businesses are asked to visit www.tecumsehspeedtest.ca to log their internet connection speed. No information other than internet speed and approximate location in Town will be captured Further updates from the Committee can be found at www.tecumseh.ca/TRBAC.  

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