Feb 10th, 2017

Rogers and Ottawa Community Housing Bridge the Digital Divide for Nearly 15,000 Households with Connected for Success

Connected for Success continues to expand across Rogers’ cable footprint. The $9.99/month internet program is available to tenants with low-incomes in non-profit housing organizations

 Join the conversation: #ConnectedForSuccess

Ottawa, Feb. 10, 2017 – Rogers is bringing affordable high-speed internet to approximately 15,000 subsidized households in Ottawa with Rogers’ Connected for Success program. This means the approximately 32,000 individuals living in Ottawa Community Housing’s (OCH) subsidized non-profit housing now have the opportunity to benefit from Rogers’ $9.99 monthly internet program, enabling more Canadians to fully participate in the digital economy.

As OCH is the second largest social housing provider in Ontario, this brings the Connected for Success program a significant step closer to its goal of bridging the digital divide for up to 150,000 households across Rogers’ cable footprint in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

“Rogers and Ottawa Community Housing are working together to equip the Ottawa community with the tools and skills needed to succeed in an ever-growing digital world,” said Peter King, Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Rogers. “From kids seeking homework help, to new Canadians looking to connect to their community, to seniors in need of healthcare assistance, access to the internet plays a vital role in enabling communities to grow and thrive.”

“The City of Ottawa recognizes the importance of access to affordable internet for all residents, and I am pleased to see this collaboration between Ottawa Community Housing Corporation and Rogers,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “This collaboration is essential for OCH to continue providing affordable internet access and bridging the digital divide for their tenants. They will now have additional options for accessing online tools and be able to learn more skills, which in turn will build stronger communities all across Ottawa.”

An Ipsos-Reid study found that while 91% of Canadians currently have access the internet at home, that number drops to 70% in households with an annual income under $25,000.

“Access to the internet has become a necessary basic service in the 21st century. For children, internet access can mean keeping up with peers, for students it offers the opportunity to research from home, and for the majority the internet is a library and a primary source of information,” said Mathieu Fleury, Ottawa City Councillor and Chair of Ottawa Community Housing Board of Directors. “This collaboration removes barriers for low-income tenants by providing affordable access to information and opportunities. I applaud both Rogers and OCH for working together to find a solution for our tenants.”

Since launching in 2013, Rogers has invested in Connected for Success to partner with more than 135 non-profit housing providers across Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. As a result, more than 13,000 Canadian households have signed up for the program. Connected for Success requires no contract or credit checks upon sign up, and includes speeds of up to 10 Mbps download and up to 1 Mbps upload.

“Ottawa Community Housing is committed to delivering quality services to our tenants,” said Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing. “The Connected for Success program will positively impact the lives of many of our tenants and provide them with access to low-cost internet; and , enable tenants to fully participate in the socio-economic opportunities of the City of Ottawa.”

Rogers also offers Internet 5, a new low-cost service for $24.99 (Modem rental $8/month extra) that is available to anyone within Rogers’ internet service area.

OCH residents in subsidized housing can call 1-866-689-0758 for more information about Connected for Success, and people interested in Internet 5 can call 1-888-ROGERS1. For additional details on the program, please visit www.about.rogers.com

For more about OCH, please visit https://www.och-lco.ca/

About Rogers
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian communications and media company.  We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:  RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

About OCH

Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) provides approximately 15,000 homes to nearly 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCH houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCH is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario.

For further information:

Rogers media inquiries:
media@rci.rogers.com
1-844-226-1338 

Ottawa Community Housing media inquiries:
Niki Kerimova
Media Relations and Events Coordinator
Ottawa Community Housing
Office: 613-520-2277
niki.kerimova@och.ca
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