Wightman commits $56 million to bring high-speed Internet to Orangeville

Wightman Communications Ltd. announced today it will bring next-generation telecommunications to Orangeville that will enable high-speed Internet throughout the Town.

Construction for this $56 million fibre project will begin with the Orangeville Business Park in late 2020, with Wightman planning to bury more than 350,000 metres of fibre optic lines throughout the Town of Orangeville during the project.

Wightman is able to provide customers with multiple gigabit Internet speeds, high definition TV with the latest user features, and digital home phone service, thanks to “Fibre to the Home and Business”. Fibre optic technology uses laser pulses of light sent through tiny strands of glass to transmit data, allowing for a significant increase in the speed at which Internet signals can be carried.

Wightman’s President and CEO Rob Figliuzzi is thrilled to be bringing this technology to Orangeville. “For many years, Wightman has offered services in Orangeville and been part of the community. We’ve listened to our customers, and it is time for us to make the significant investment and build a vital, future-proof communications infrastructure with our Fibre to the Home and Business that will serve the community for generations to come.” Orangeville will mark the family-owned company’s 12th Fibre to the Home build.

“Wightman is making a very significant investment in Orangeville with this project and their confidence in the community is much appreciated,” said Mayor Sandy Brown. “Our high-speed Internet capability will advance leaps and bounds, thanks to Wightman’s multi-year project. This initiative is a huge step forward for Orangeville in our Smart City journey. As the pandemic has made clear, digital infrastructure is a critical piece of a complete community as a tool to attract and retain business and support our residents in home life, the modern workforce or education.”

Wightman begins fibre construction this fall, moving to the residential sector next year. The company plans to open a retail location in Orangeville in 2021.