WINNIPEG – MTS Allstream said Wednesday that it will expand its wireless and broadband coverage in the province.
The company said it will expand its digital wireless coverage along Highway 6 and to 20 more rural areas in 2007 and build out high speed wireless data to 33 more communities.
"No company is more committed than MTS Allstream to expanding wireless network coverage throughout rural Manitoba," said Kelvin Shepherd, president consumer markets. "This year alone, we will be investing approximately $15 million to provide digital wireless coverage and high speed wireless data service for customers across the province."
Already providing digital cellular coverage to 97% of Manitoba’s population, MTS Allstream’s 2007 construction plans will see 30 new digital cellular sites added to the expansive network:
* In Northern Manitoba, 12 new sites will provide complete digital coverage along Highway 6 from Ashern to Thompson. MTS Allstream already offers extensive coverage of Manitoba’s highways and the Highway 6 expansion will further improve the company’s highway coverage in the province.
* In the Interlake region, nine new sites in the areas of Riverton, Hecla, Arnes, Peguis, Fisher Branch, Amaranth, Chemawawin / Easterville, Grand Beach, and Victoria Beach will provide increased wireless coverage for the region.
* In Southern Manitoba, two new sites in the areas of La Broquerie and Vita will provide increased wireless coverage for the region.
* In Western Manitoba, five new sites in the areas of Southport, Sidney, Oak Lake, Clear Lake, and Asessippi Provincial Park will provide increased wireless coverage for the region.
* In the Whiteshell region, two new sites in the areas of West Hawk Lake and Bird Lake will provide increased wireless coverage for the region.
* In the Lake of the Woods area, the Clearwater Bay/Deception Bay area will also see increased wireless coverage.
The 2007 wireless network expansion plans will provide more wireless coverage in cottage country, camping and resort areas, and other popular Manitoba vacation spots.
In addition, MTS Allstream will be improving the speed of their wireless data network across the province, rolling out high speed EVDO wireless data service to the following 33 communities in 2007:
* Thompson, Flin Flon, and The Pas
* Morden, Winkler, Selkirk, Steinbach, Oakbank, St. Andrew’s, Lorette, Ste. Adolphe, Ste. Anne, and Anola
* Portage La Prairie, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Dauphin, Onanole, and Clear Lake
* Gimli, Arnes, Winnipeg Beach, Grand Beach, Victoria Beach, Belair, and Pine Falls
* Lac Du Bonnet, Bird Lake, Jessica Lake, Falcon Lake, West Hawk Lake, Otter Falls, and Deception Bay / Clearwater Bay
MTS Allstream customers in these areas will soon enjoy five times faster wireless email, downloads, web browsing, gaming, streaming audio, and streaming video on their EVDO-enabled wireless devices. With a data cable or PC Card, customers will also be able to get high speed Internet access on their laptop using the wireless network.
"We are committed to bringing advanced communications services to as many customers as possible," said Shepherd. "These plans will give our wireless and high speed wireless data services an even bigger and stronger footprint across the province."
The wireless network expansion and improvements started in February and should be complete by the end of the year.
