WATERLOO REGION — Waterloo Region plans to join a project to build a high-speed fibre network across southwestern Ontario that's intended to fill gaps in Internet service, and make it more affordable and reliable.

Most of southwestern Ontario is not served by fibre-based Internet, and there are significant gaps in this region, particularly in rural areas, but also within the three cities that are served predominantly by two providers.

"That's probably not enough competition to ensure investments are made and fibre is available throughout the region," Craig Dyer, the region's chief financial officer, told a regional committee on Tuesday.

The region's investment in the $290-million Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project would be $2.23 million. The federal and provincial governments together pledged $190 million with partner municipalities providing $18 million to $23 million, and service providers contributing upwards of $92 million to the capital costs.

Read the full story at therecord.com.