Municipally owned Thunder Bay-based telecom Tbaytel added 37 new 5G cell sites and extended its fibre network to pass 2,903 additional addresses in 2024, according to its 2024 Community Report published Tuesday on its website.
“In 2024, Tbaytel made substantial strides in expanding its 5G wireless network and providing fibre internet to more homes and businesses in Thunder Bay and rural areas. These efforts are aimed at empowering local residents and businesses with the digital tools they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world,” a Tbaytel press release says.
The telecom’s fibre expansion included 474 kilometres of fibre installed in rural Thunder Bay as well as the launch of 2.5 Gbps fully symmetrical internet speeds, according to its report.
“In 2024, we expanded fibre connectivity to 99.95% of homes and businesses within the city of Thunder Bay and 96% coverage when combining Thunder Bay and the outlying rural areas,” the report says.
Boasting a total of 110 5G sites across its service area, Tbaytel’s 5G expansion in 2024 included eight new sites in rural Thunder Bay, including Poleline Road, Fort William First Nation and Community Hall Road, as well as 27 regional sites in communities such as Fort Frances, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.
Tbaytel’s capital investments in its networks and products totalled $67.5 million in 2024, according to the report.
The telecom’s total revenue for 2024 was $223 million, with 57 per cent of the revenue coming from wireless. Tbaytel attributed its continued positive financial performance to its loyal customer base, the expansion of its service offerings and the continued demand for fibre and mobile services across the region.
“As a municipally owned organization, Tbaytel reinvests its financial success back into the City of Thunder Bay. The revenue generated by the company supports growth and the local economy, with a total fixed and performance dividend of $19.5 million to the City of Thunder Bay that ultimately reduces local property tax bills by approximately 8.25%. The dividend supports essential city services and community initiatives, ensuring the benefits of Tbaytel’s success are directly felt by the residents and businesses of Thunder Bay,” the telecom’s press release says.
In addition, through its Tbaytel for Good initiative, the telecom invested nearly $444,000 in community-driven projects across 13 communities and 116 organizations in 2024.
