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High-speed broadband internet is an essential service needed for quality of life, economic benefit, community development, healthcare, and education. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the inadequacies of the current network in Muskoka and reinforced the urgent need to invest in bringing high-speed broadband Internet to Muskoka’s small urban and rural homes and businesses.
YOU CAN HELP! Test your internet speed to help build better access to broadband in Muskoka!
Improving access to affordable, high-speed, broadband Internet for residents and businesses in Lake of Bays is a priority for the Township of Lake of Bays.
Please review the topics below regarding internet connectivity in the Township of Lake of Bays.
Lake of Bays Public Library - Baysville Branch
10 University St, Baysville, ON P0B 1A0
Phone: 705-767-2361
Lake of Bays Public Library - Dwight Branch
1014 Dwight Beach Rd, Dwight, ON P0A 1H0
Phone: 705-635-3319
Township of Lake of Bays Municipal Office
1012 Dwight Beach Rd, Dwight, ON P0A 1H0
Phone: 1-877-566-0005
The Federal Government hosts a database of known service providers by geographic region. Enter your address to find out who serves your area.
The following is a list of known Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that offer services to residents and businesses in or adjacent to the Township of Lake of Bays. Please contact the ISPs directly to confirm if service is available at your location.
Tip for connecting: Try multiple address variations (i.e. Hwy 60/Highway 60, Dwight/Huntsville/Lake of Bays, etc.)
4 Pairless
Phone: 1-866-635-6919
Algonquin Fiber
Phone: 705-704-9101
Bell
Phone: 1-866-778-5529
Cogeco
Phone: 1-866-261-4447
Cottage Country Internet
Phone: 1-866-629-6616
Interactive North
Phone: 1-855-765-6800
Lakeland Networks
Phone: 705-646-1846
Rogers
Phone: 1-855-877-3824
Phone: 1-866-558-2273
Xplornet Communications
Phone: 1-877-605-3106
The Township of Lake of Bays is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information supplied by external sources. Users should consult directly with each ISP to confirm service availability.
INTERNET 101 - DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY
Internet and Connectivity are terms used extensively throughout our webpage and content.
INTERNET is simply the product individuals want to subscribe to and use while CONNECTIVITY refers to the way people are hooked up to the Internet, and may include dial-up telephone lines, cable, always-on broadband connections, Satellite, Hotspots and Wireless.
We would like to highlight some differences in the latter – CONNECTIVITY – for your awareness. Internet connection options vary by Internet Service Provider (ISP) and by region. Customers should consider some of the following factors before selecting an Internet package: speed or bandwidth, cost, availability, reliability and convenience. In order to determine what Internet plan is right for you, we recommend you review the different types of Internet connections available on the market today.
Understanding The Differences Between Internet Connections
When determining which type of Internet connection is right for you or your family, it's important to understand the distinction between each connection. In today's age, there are numerous ways to connect laptops, desktops, mobile phones, gaming consoles, e-readers and tablets to the Internet. Some of the most widely used Internet connections are described below.
WIRELESS
Radio frequency bands are used in place of telephone or cable networks. One of the greatest advantages of wireless Internet connections is the "always-on" connection that can be accessed from any location that falls within network coverage. Wireless connections are made possible through the use of a modem, which picks up Internet signals and sends them to other devices.
MOBILE
Many cell phone and smartphone providers offer voice plans with Internet access. Mobile Internet connections provide good speeds and allow you to access the Internet.
HOTSPOTS
Hotspots are sites that offer Internet access over a wireless local area network (WLAN) by way of a router that then connects to an Internet service provider. Hotspots utilize Wi-Fi technology, which allows electronic devices to connect to the Internet or exchange data wirelessly through radio waves. Hotspots can be phone-based or free-standing, commercial or free to the public.
DIAL-UP
Dial-up connections require users to link their phone line to a computer in order to access the Internet. This particular type of connection—also referred to as analog—does not permit users to make or receive phone calls through their home phone service while using the Internet.
BROADBAND
This high-speed Internet connection is provided through either cable or telephone companies. One of the fastest options available, broadband Internet uses multiple data channels to send large quantities of information. The term broadband is shorthand for broad bandwidth. Broadband Internet connections such as DSL and cable are considered high-bandwidth connections. Although many DSL connections can be considered broadband, not all broadband connections are DSL.
DSL
DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, uses existing 2-wire copper telephone line connected to one's home so service is delivered at the same time as landline telephone service. Customers can still place calls while surfing the Internet.
CABLE
Cable Internet connection is a form of broadband access. Through use of a cable modem, users can access the Internet over cable TV lines. Cable modems can provide extremely fast access to the Internet.
SATELLITE
In certain areas where broadband connection is not yet offered, a satellite Internet option may be available. Similar to wireless access, satellite connection utilizes a modem.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
ISDN allows users to send data, voice and video content over digital telephone lines or standard telephone wires. The installation of an ISDN adapter is required at both ends of the transmission—on the part of the user as well as the Internet access provider.
There are quite a few other Internet connection options available, including T-1 lines, T-3 lines, OC (Optical Carrier) and other DSL technologies.
As you decide what Internet connection is the best fit for your needs, you may wish to narrow down your selection based on your preferred download and upload speeds, or based on deals and pricing options through an Internet Service Provider.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
An ISP is a company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. In addition to providing access to the Internet, ISPs may also provide software packages (such as browsers), e-mail accounts, and a personal Web site or home page.
The Town of Bracebridge, the Town of Huntsville, the Town of Gravenhurst, the Township of Georgian Bay, the Township of Lake of Bays, the Township of Muskoka Lakes, and the District Municipality of Muskoka, are collectively supporting regional efforts to enhance broadband service across Muskoka.
On behalf of the District of Muskoka Chair and Mayors, Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover has presented two delegations to the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, District of Muskoka Council endorsed the creation of a Muskoka Economic Recovery Task Force in May 2020 to work collaboratively to minimize the effects of the pandemic on the local economy. Broadband has been identified by the Task Force as a critical focus in the recovery response and the group is pursuing the creation of a Gap Analysis and Regional Broadband Strategy for Muskoka.
The purpose of this endeavour is:
To learn more about the Muskoka Economic Recovery Task Force (MERTF) visit the Engage Muskoka website.
Regional Broadband Strategic Plan
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee passed a motion recommending an RFP be issued to engage a consultant with expertise in broadband service expansion planning to assist the District to develop a regional plan that will address the region's unique challenges.
Following the RFP process, in July 2021 the District of Muskoka contracted Clearcable Networks to develop a broadband strategy for Muskoka.
All Updates related to regional broadband efforts are available at EngageMuskoka.ca/Broadband.
This group meets quarterly to ensure information sharing and alignment across the region. It includes broad representation from across Parry Sound and Muskoka with each community having a representative at the CAO/Mayor (or designate) level.
Improving access to affordable, high-speed Internet for residents and businesses in Lake of Bays is identified as a priority in the Township's Economic Development Strategy and Strategic Work Plan (2019-2022). These strategies establish initiatives to foster collaboration between the public and private sector (ISPs) and advocate to address gaps and improve service delivery.
To be informed of any new information related to service expansion initiatives, please subscribe below to receive email updates.
BROADBAND RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Contact Us
Township of Lake of Bays
1012 Dwight Beach Rd
Dwight, ON P0A 1H0
705-635-2272
1-877-566-0005
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