NETWORK EXPANSION NEWS
Launches this week:
Shaw to provide public WiFi service for Edmonton
EDMONTON – Shaw Communications announced Thursday that Edmonton city council has given the go ahead to expand Shaw’s Go WiFi network to public areas across the city.
The planned WiFi network will grant wireless in pedestrian-friendly areas of the city, such as LRT stations, facilities and libraries.
The project is expected to take place over the next two years, with new access points being installed continually throughout this period.
Bell Aliant expands FibreOP network in Sault Ste. Marie
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Bell Aliant announced Wednesday it is investing $15 million to pass its FibreOP network to about 24,000 premises in the area.
Sault Ste. Marie is part of Bell Aliant's operating territory. Through its strategic partnership with Bell, its FibreOP services will be marketed as "Bell FibreOP."
Bell Aliant has passed more than 33,000 premises with FibreOP in Greater Sudbury. By the end of 2013, the company will have extended its fibre-optic technology to approximately 800,000 homes and businesses in its territory.
Cogeco expands HD VOD coverage in Ontario
MONTREAL – Cogeco announced Wednesday it is expanding its HD video on demand coverage in Ontario.
Most of Cogeco digital TV subscribers in Ontario now have access to 300 titles of popular movies and TV shows in HD, with content to be updated regularly, according to Cogeco’s vice-president of marketing and strategic planning, Ron Perrotta.
Cogeco On Demand offers close to 7,000 titles, of which over half are free.
SaskTel to add high speed web in 50 Saskatchewan communities
REGINA –SaskTel announced Tuesday it is investing $1.2 million to expand its high speed internet service in 50 new locations across Saskatchewan by the end of 2014.
“Rural Saskatchewan is experiencing unprecedented growth and prosperity and with that comes opportunity,” said Don McMorris, Minister Responsible for SaskTel, in a release. “By providing these communities with high speed Internet, our government is opening up doors for entrepreneurs that want to live outside of our major centers but still need access to how business is done in the world today. Those businesses simply cannot work with old fashioned dial-up Internet.”
In addition, the regional telco is also upgrading speeds in over 200 existing DSL communities this year. Currently SaskTel provides DSL internet access to 416 communities and first nations. Other initiatives include a $10.7 million investment expand the coverage and capacity of SaskTel’s 4G wireless network, which includes 31 new towers and 37 network enhancements.
