YorkNet
Digitally Transforming York Region
Incorporated in 2017, YorkNet is a York Region-owned corporation that builds and operates a high-speed, dark fibre network across the Region in an effort to create equitable access to high-speed internet.
Get project updates
Stay up-to-date with YorkNet initiatives including information sessions, construction, and project updates.
Mandate
Growing York Region’s dark fibre network
Improve the delivery of Regional services, such as traffic management, transit systems, water/wastewater control management, security monitoring, policing and cloud-enabled applications.
Collaborating with public-sector organizations to improve high-speed internet service
Work with municipalities, hospitals, libraries, fire halls, schools, community centres and other public sector organizations to improve the broadband services they deliver using our network.
Providing private-sector organizations with open access to the network
Drive economic and social benefits and enhance broadband service for the Region’s residents and businesses, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the Region.
Governance
YTN Telecom Network Inc. (YorkNet is the operational name) is a Municipal Services Corporation. YorkNet’s operations are governed by the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA), rather than the Municipal Act, as is the case for York Region and all municipalities in Ontario.
Board of Directors (shown from left to right)
Chair of the Board, Mayor Margaret Quirk, Town of Georgina
Vice Chair of the Board, Mayor Steven Pellegrini, Township of King
Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson, York Region
Mayor Iain Lovatt, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham
Regional Councillor, Michael Chan, City of Markham
Regional Councillor, Joe DiPaola, City of Richmond Hill
Regional Councillor, Mario G. Racco, City of Vaughan
Regional Councillor, Tom Vegh, Town of Newmarket
YorkNet’s Expansion
YorkNet has and continues to make considerable progress to deliver equitable access to reliable, cost-effective broadband in its underserved communities. Guided by the expansion of YorkNet’s fibre network, what was once a vision to connect all corners of the Region is starting to become an exciting reality. Together with investments from the federal and provincial governments, York Region and YorkNet’s Internet Service Partner GalaxyFibre will expand the network by hundreds of kilometres and reach thousands of underserved homes by 2025.
Galaxy Fibre and YorkNet are working together to revolutionize internet connectivity in the underserved areas of York Region.
Once YorkNet has installed the dark fibre infrastructure underground, Galaxy Fibre will connect to the network to begin offering eligible underserved homes high-speed Internet.
If you live in an eligible underserved area, you may be wondering when you will start to receive high-speed internet services. YorkNet is committed to engaging and communicating with citizens and interested parties throughout the network expansion. We’re excited to be on this digital journey with you! To receive project updates on YorkNet’s dark fibre network expansion, please sign up today.
Eligible funding areas in specific parts of York Region were deemed underserved by criteria selected by the federal and provincial governments. An interactive map made available by the Ontario government shows provincially funded high-speed internet projects across the province in underserved areas.
To receive information on when Galaxy Fibre will be unleashing its lightning-fast 100% fibre internet services in your area, visit Galaxy Fibre to sign up for updates.
If your area is deemed served but you have poor internet services, please email [email protected] to allow the YorkNet team to investigate.
Public Information Sessions
YorkNet has hosted Information Sessions in communities across the Region to provide an overview of YorkNet’s role in bringing dark fibre to underserved communities to enable high-speed internet access.
YorkNet staff provide an overview of project plans and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) of the project, Galaxy Fibre, provides information about internet services coming to the underserved areas of the Region.
YorkNet Expansion Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will I get high-speed internet?
A: YorkNet’s expansion is a multi-year, multi-phase project. Construction across our municipalities is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2025. Internet services delivered by a third-party provider will become available after construction is completed. It is anticipated high-speed services will be offered starting in mid-2024.
Q: Does YorkNet provide high-speed internet services?
A: No, YorkNet installs dark-fibre infrastructure under the ground, they do not supply Internet services directly to homes.
It may be helpful to picture YorkNet’s dark fibre network like a digital highway. The YorkNet team builds the dark fibre network or highway but it isn’t open to traffic yet. When the traffic is ready to run on it, Galaxy Fibre the Internet Service Provider of the project will work with YorkNet to put the cars on the road, in other words they will light the fibre to bring high-speed internet to homes.
Q: How do I know if YorkNet is placing dark fibre infrastructure in my neighbourhood?
A: An interactive map made available by the Ontario government shows provincially funded high-speed internet projects across the province in underserved areas. By clicking on your street, you can identify if you are part of YorkNet’s project.
Q: How was it determined what areas/streets got high-speed?
A: Individuals streets were deemed underserved by the federal and provincial governments. Funding was only available to underserved streets.
An interactive map made available by the Ontario government shows provincially funded high-speed internet projects across the province in underserved areas.
Q: What if I have poor internet connectivity, but my area was deemed served?
A: If your area is deemed served but you have poor internet services, please email @email to allow the YorkNet team to investigate.
YorkNet Spotlight
Together with many partners within the private and public sectors, YorkNet is working to enhance Regional services and bring improved internet connectivity to municipal facilities, businesses and residents across the region.
Here’s a snapshot of how the YorkNet team is working to bridge the digital divide in York Region:
- 2022 YorkNet Annual Report
- 2023 Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) video feature presented by AMO (2023)
- Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) Announcement (2023)
YorkNet Archives
Annual Reports
News and Announcements
Telecommunication and Internet Service Providers
Unlock your digital future with YorkNet
Telecommunication and internet service providers can access YorkNet’s dark fibre network for flexible capacity and connectivity options, including the opportunity to:
- Extend network footprint across York Region
- Take advantage of YorkNet’s high-quality network
- Access dark fibre and scale bandwidth to meet consumer demand
- Ability to service customers faster and more cost-effectively
- Supporting high-bandwidth activities such as cloud-based applications and remote data centre operations
Contact Us
For more information on partnering with YorkNet to deliver or receive high-speed internet in York Region, please contact @email.
