Algonquin Highlands council is signing a contract with internet provider Xplornet allowing the company to install equipment on the Dorset tower during a 10-year lease period.

There has been negotiation between the township and the company over what that contract would look like.

“I took council’s comments back to Xplornet based on the original draft of the agreement” parks recreation and trails manager Chris Card told councillors during a March 2 meeting adding there had been a number of revisions made through lawyers on both sides.

Among the changes it’s been made clear that Xplornet is not entitled to exclusive use of the tower and council has a right to terminate the contract within 90 days of installation if it’s determined that Xplornet’s equipment is interfering with any other equipment on the tower.

Other than that only if the company defaults on the agreement or if what Card said amounts to “essentially acts of god”  occurcan the township terminate the contract.

“I think that was one of the concerns that if something did happen that affected the tower a lightning strike or a big storm that we would be able to say justifiably that service is suspended for those reasons” said Mayor Carol Moffatt. “I think that covers us as best we can.”

The lease agreement is for $650 a month or $7800 a year with a two per cent annual increase.

It is estimated the equipment will be able to connect about 800 residences in Algonquin Highlands and Lake of Bays townships with high-speed internet