NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. and CRANBROOK B.C. – Telus announced Wednesday that it has moved its networks down a couple of Canadian highways.
The first is the Queen Elizabeth Way as the company said it has launched its LTE network in the Niagara region. Today’s announcement is part of the company’s $650 million investment in Ontario over the next three years to further expand and enhance its wireless networks.
LTE has emerged as the new standard for wireless technology and Telus’ 4G LTE network supports manufacturers’ rated peak download speeds of up to 75 megabits per second (Mbps), with an expected average of 12 to 25 Mbps. Importantly, if TELUS customers travel outside of 4G LTE network coverage areas, they will move seamlessly from 4G LTE to the existing 4G HSPA network with no disruption of service.
Telus’ 4G LTE service now covers more than 65% of the Canadian population. By the end of 2012, that service is expected to launch in Ontario regions including Sudbury, Brantford, Leamington, Oshawa and Whitby. (An earlier version of this story quoted Telus' release saying it had already launched its 4G LTE network in some of those areas, which the company later clarified has not yet happened.)
As for the B.C. highway, while it’s not 4G LTE, Telus said today is has invested $800,000 to bring wireless service to Hwy 3/95 near Cranbrook. The site southeast of Moyie Lake Provincial Park is now live, providing service to a stretch of Highway 3/95 as well as homes and businesses in the area.
“Our significant investment in Yahk and Moyie gives motorists, as well as area residents and businesses, the convenience of making hands-free wireless calls along a well-traveled stretch highway, expands access to 911, and allows for great broadband service where it may not be possible to build wired Internet access,” said Steve Jenkins, Telus general manager for the Southern Interior.
The project is part of the 10-year Connecting British Columbia agreement signed with the Province of B.C. earlier last year. Under the terms of the contract Telus will connect more than 1,700 kilometres of highway with wireless service.
This investment is part of $3 billion in infrastructure and facilities upgrades being made across British Columbia through 2014.
