MONTREAL – Bell wants to put those living in new condominium and other multi-dwelling units (MDUs) on a heavy fibre diet. The announcement today to roll-out fibre directly to MDUs in the Quebec-Windsor corridor is part of Bell’s strategy to have 5 million homes hooked up to high-speed fibre by 2010.
"This initiative to deliver high-speed bandwidth directly to new MDUs supports Bell’s strategic imperative to invest in broadband networks and services," said George Cope, president and CEO of BCE and Bell. "Along with our ongoing investments to build out new fibre to neighbourhoods, enhance our IP networks for business, and expand our national high-speed wireless network, the fibre to MDU program is part of our commitment to deliver a better customer experience at all levels."
Bell spokesperson Mark Langton told Cartt that the deployment announced today is limited to high-speed Bell Internet access to new MDUs.
“While we remain committed to IPTV we haven’t announced any rollout plans or developments. But keep in mind we are one of the largest TV suppliers in the country already, with more than 1.8 million Bell TV customers and the largest number of HD channels. We’re also enhancing Bell TV in MDUs now which, alongside the fibre deployments for Bell Internet, makes the Bell Better Home Bundle even more attractive for this market,” claims Langton.
While the announced program is only for new MDUs, existing MDUs would be served as part of Bell’s broader FTTN (fibre to the node) build. Bell plans to have more than 2 million residences covered by the end of 2008 adds Langton.
While he would not disclose how much Bell is spending on this particular project, Langton did note that Bell had capital expenditures of $2.4 billion in 2007 and another $1 billion in the first six months of 2008, most of it dedicated to broadband build-outs such as FTTN and high-speed wireless.
Bell’s Fibre to the Node (FTTN) program is deploying fibre to within less than a kilometre of homes throughout the Quebec-Windsor corridor – 2.4 million households will be covered by the end of 2008. FTTN is also being deployed in all new suburban housing developments.
Today’s announcement explains Langton is a response to the fact that as many as 25% of people in Bell’s major markets are or will be living in MDUs.
"More and more Bell Internet customers in our largest markets are living in condominium developments and other new MDUs. Our Fibre to MDU program will ensure they enjoy the high-speed bandwidth offered by new fibre on their Bell Internet service," said Kevin Crull, president of Bell Residential Services.
"Coupled with our ongoing expansion of Bell TV service – formerly ExpressVu – in condos and apartments, this move to high-speed Bell Internet on fibre for new MDUs further enhances the Bell Better Home Bundle of communications services."
