The Ontario Federation of Agriculture says the recent ruling by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an early Christmas present for rural dwellers.
The CRTC has ruled that broadband internet of at least 10 megabytes per second will be considered a basic telecom service.
As a result, up to $750 million has been set aside for extending high-speed internet services to rural and remote areas of the country over the next five years.
The federation notes it's been advocating for the necessity of broadband internet for several years.
OFA President Keith Currie says Commission's ruling to deliver the much-needed infrastructure will help grow Ontario farms, businesses, communities and the economy.
He adds the federation is looking forward to working with the government in 2017 to help formalize the deal and get investments in place.
The OFA feels building a stronger rural economy will also help out the province's urban infrastructure challenges as it attracts families to live in communities outside of Ontario's major cities.
