Recently, there have been questions raised in our community regarding the status of WCCT, our local Internet Service Provider (ISP) of many years.
This letter is intended to lay out the facts, contrary to some innuendo generated by certain sales reps who are currently going door-to-door.
WCCT’s network of combined fibre and radio infrastructure continues to operate, providing high speed internet, TV and phone service for a stable base of about 700 customers in Deep River, Chalk River and Laurentian Hills.
WCCT was originally established as a volunteer-operated, not-for-profit community ISP. Its successful growth in recent years has led to a reorganization, finalized in 2024 December.
Responsibility for operating and maintaining the WCCT network was transferred to WCCT’s long-time supplier, Northern Rural Networks, a privately held Canadian company with headquarters in Bancroft, Ontario.
This change of responsibility has been progressively implemented over the past year, and is now fully in place.
Under this new relationship, WCCT remains a not-for-profit corporation and receives 10% of local revenues from Northern Rural Networks.
These funds will be used to support local health care, with disbursements through the WCCT Health Care Fund, a newly created Deep River & District Community Foundation fund, administered by WCCT’s board.
Through this fund, WCCT will:
• continue to provide free high speed internet and data services to Deep River & District Health (including the Four Seasons Lodge and Family Health Team), North Renfrew Long-Term Care, and North Renfrew Family Services. This service is valued at more than $20,000 annually across the organizations.
• provide funding for various health care initiatives and fundraising campaigns that serve our community. WCCT has donated approximately $50,000 in recent years through multiple donations.
• provide up to two $5,000 scholarships/bursaries annually to deserving Mackenzie Community School graduates who are pursuing post-secondary programs in the health care field.
In closing, we would like to acknowledge the thousands of volunteer hours over the last eight years, and the support from Northern Rural Networks that have made WCCT a “win-win” for individual customers, municipal and public services, and going forward, for new health care initiatives now possible through the newly launched DRDCF WCCT Health Care Fund.
WCCT currently services about one-third of the area customer base. With your continued and growing support, this “win-win” can be sustained and annual disbursements in support of local health care will continue.
Ross Judd, WCCT president and board chair
Dave Cox and Chris Knight, WCCT board members
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