With speeds of up to 1,000 times faster than residential networks in Toronto and other North American cities, waterfront residents and businesses will be equipped to take advantage of next-generation technology and applications. The technology is comparable to what’s being used by the world’s most advanced research and education networks, such as CANARIE Inc., Ca*net4, Canada’s national network for the research and education community; and the ORION network, which serves Ontario’s research and education community.

At present, ultra-high-speed broadband is not available for residential use in Toronto. Businesses can access it, but it’s

significantly more expensive in Toronto than in other leading global cities, such as Tokyo, Singapore and Stockholm. The ultra-broadband services to be offered in Toronto's new waterfront communities will improve Toronto’s competitiveness in both the quality and cost of ultra-high-speed services.

i-Waterfront*net users will benefit from an open access network that will allow residents and businesses a variety of services from which to choose from, and a variety of service providers for such things as high-definition TV programming, IPTV, VOIP/IP, video, and safety and security systems.

Västerås, Sweden built an open-access fibre-optic network in 2000. Within just two years, more than 600 new companies set up shop in this lakeside city west of Stockholm. Today, Västerås has earned accolades for its innovation, economic development and telecommunications.

By building an intelligent community on its waterfront, Toronto will be among only a handful of global cities well-acquainted with the value of an open-access ultra-advanced communications network.

The importance of this infrastructure cannot be overstated. It connects residences, workplaces and public institutions to each other and the world – literally in the blink of an eye. It enables complex projects to be completed faster, buildings to run more efficiently, and residents to access a range of services and opportunities for social interaction.