According to Atria, it will soon directly connect Peterborough and surrounding areas to existing fiber infrastructure in Ottawa, York Region, Barrie, Hamilton and Waterloo-Wellington regions.

Steve McCartney, CEO of Atria, indicated that this purchase provides a critical link for markets in eastern and central Ontario, as part of a corporate strategy to join utility telecom networks across the entire province.

Larry Doran, president and CEO of Peterborough Utilities, said: At Peterborough Utilities, we realized that it would be very challenging to continue to grow our telecom business beyond our traditional service territory. We determined that it was better for our customers and our shareholder, the City of Peterborough, to undertake a strategic divesture to a larger and a more diversified telecom provider. We are confident that our customers will be well served by Atria Networks.