NETWORK EXPANSION NEWS
Recent launches:
Bell Aliant continues FibreOp expansion with $20 million investment in North Bay, Timmins
NORTH BAY and TIMMINS, ON – Bell Aliant’s new $7 million fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) expansion in Timmins announced Wednesday brings the total of the regional telco’s recent investments in Northern Ontario to $20 million. The FTTH network will reach approximately 15,000 premises in Timmins.
Last week Bell Aliant also announced it is investing $13 million to launch its FibreOP network to about 20,000 households and business in North Bay.
While both communities are part of Bell Aliant's operating territory, its FibreOP services in North Bay will be marketed as “Bell FibreOP” through its strategic partnership with Bell. In Timmins it will be marketed as “NorthernTel FibreOP” as it served under the NorthernTel brand in this community.
Bell Aliant’s fibre-optic technology is currently available to more than 679,000 premises in 40 communities. By the end of 2013, the company will have extended its fibre-optic technology to approximately 800,000 homes and businesses in its territory.
Telus expands 4G LTE network in four provinces, marks first launch into Manitoba
VANCOUVER – Telus recently announced the expansion of its 4G LTE wireless network service in several communities throughout Canada, including its first in launch in Manitoba in Winnipeg.
In addition to the Winnipeg launch last week, Telus launched its 4G LTE network in Sarnia, Ont., and Moose Jaw, Sask. yesterday, and in Corner Brook, Nfld on July 15.
The company is promoting its launch in Winnipeg with a promotion that lets Telus customers in that city trade in their existing phones, mobile internet keys and mobile Wi-Fi devices and get a $50 in-store credit (on top of the trade-in value of that device) toward a new device or accessory from until September 15.
Telus’ 4G LTE service now covers more than 75% of the Canadian population across approximately 200 markets.
SaskTel builds cellular tower for Batoche area, completes 13 4G projects in June
REGINA – SaskTel announced on Friday it will build a permanent cellular tower to meet the communication needs of Back to Batoche, as well as the residents of St. Isidore-de-Bellevue, the One Arrow First Nation and the residents surrounding the major tourist destination of Batoche.
“Back to Batoche Days has had amazing growth over the last decade, and SaskTel’s support with this infrastructure will help the area and province capitalize on this major tourist attraction and festival celebrating Métis culture and heritage,” said Métis Nation of Saskatchewan president Robert Doucette in a release. “This tower will give access to emergency services for the site and local communities, give students technology to enhance learning and further develop the economic opportunities for the festival and permanent residents.”
The tower is expected to be operational by July 2014, depending on weather during construction.
SaskTel also recently announced the completion of 13 4G wireless network infrastructure enhancement projects across the province in June 2013.
4G network enhancement projects were completed in communities including: Regina, Saskatoon, Annaheim, Elbow, Alvena, Prince Albert, Christopher Lake, Emma Lake, Pelican Narrows, Moose Jaw, Good Spirit, and Richmound.
MTS launches 4G LTE in Selkirk
SELKIRK, MB – MTS announced last Friday it has completed its 4G LTE wireless network expansion to Selkirk, the fourth of six rural Manitoba communities that are scheduled to receive MTS’s 4G LTE network service in 2013.
MTS has since launched 4G LTE wireless service in Victoria Beach, Grand Beach, Portage la Prairie, and now Selkirk, with plans to launch in Steinbach and Ste. Anne later this year.
