Digital telecommunications infrastructure underlies most, if not all, dimensions of regional economies. Today, the Internet is essential to the well-being of those who live and work in small towns and rural areas.
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS FOR REGIONAL & RURAL BROADBAND ACTION
R2B2 is involved in a number of action-based research activities:
THEMATIC STUDIES
R2B2 engages with a range of partners to conduct thematic studies, including digital agriculture, telehealth, home-based businesses and online learning.
SUPPORTING MUNICIPALITIES
Support to Municipalities on Broadband Feasibility Studies (e.g. Town of Caledon; Town of Collingwood)
SUPPORTING STRATEGIC REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Research partner to Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT), Durham Region, City of Hamilton, etc.
NETWORKING & POLICY ANALYSIS
R2B2 is part of research and community development networks for digital economy and improved rural connectivity across Canada. We provide information for federal and provincial policymaking.
RESEARCH FOCUS
Our research encompasses regional, economic, and geospatial analysis around broadband services and digital infrastructure to identify current and future needs. Our research also includes exploring precision agriculture challenges and opportunities.
Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector has a number of new digital tools and processes as a result of developments in various technological fields. R2B2 calls this “the connected farm” involving integration across real and virtual landscapes.
Explore how Internet service quality varies across Ontario with an interactive map displaying the median download speed reported for Forward Sortation Areas from January to April 2022.
We welcome new collaborations and seek to ensure the best possible knowledge base for “all things rural Internet”. We do this not only for the sake of top-notch research and innovation, but also for the benefit of everyone living in Ontario and across Canada.