COQUITLAM, B.C. and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (KWIKWETLEM) – Telus Communications announced yesterday it is investing $110 million to bring its fibre optic network to homes and businesses in Coquitlam and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation.
The company’s advanced, PureFibre X network provides Internet speeds of 2.5 Gbps, a press release explains.
A direct connection to the pure fibre-to-the-home network does not cost taxpayers or residents anything, according to the release. Work has already begun in Coquitlam and Telus anticipates most homes and businesses will be connected by the end of next year.
“Telus is proud to be making this generational investment in Coquitlam and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation’s community of slakəyánc (Coquitlam I.R. 1), providing the technology to bridge geographic and socio-economic divides and connect citizens to the people, resources and information that make their lives better,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO of Telus, in the release.
“Importantly, Telus PureFibre offers the community a globally unmatched wireline infrastructure that ensures all citizens have access to the digital tools to drive improved health, social and economic outcomes.”
“kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation will greatly benefit from the addition of the Telus PureFibre Network which will help us become a strong, self-governing Nation and empower our members, families and community through engaged and shared planning and decision-making,” said John Peters, Councillor kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation.
“This addition to our infrastructure will also allow us to better communicate with our members who live here in our ancient village of slakəyánc (Coquitlam I.R. 1) as well as with our members who live in other parts of Canada and the United States. As well, the upgrade will allow us to utilize new Telus tools and technology, such as their online digital literacy courses and Vidflex by Worldplay, and provide new ways for the Nation to share our language and cultural activities and be better connected to each other, no matter where we live.”
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