VANCOUVER — The remote Indigenous community of Ahousaht, located off the west coast of Tofino on Vancouver Island, is getting high-speed wireless voice, text and Internet service for the first time, thanks to a $500,000 investment in a new cell site by Telus.
Telus said Tuesday in a news release that construction on the cell tower is nearing completion and the company anticipates the site will be live this December, providing residents and visitors in the area access to Telus’s 4G LTE network.
“We have been engaged with the community of Ahousaht First Nation for over a year to collaboratively determine the best way to bring wireless service to this remote area, recognizing how critical this service is to Ahousaht residents, enabling them to thrive in our increasingly digital world,” said Shaye Draper, Telus general manager for Vancouver Island, in the news release.
“Perhaps most critically, this new wireless coverage means residents can call for help in the event of an accident or medical emergency, and access previously unavailable services, such as consulting with a physician through the Babylon by Telus Health app. We are tremendously grateful to the community of Ahousaht for their ongoing support for this new connectivity, and their partnership with Telus,” Draper added.
With the free downloadable Babylon by Telus Health app, British Columbians have access to a sophisticated symptom checker, and can schedule a live video consultation with a licensed B.C. physician. This gives residents the ability to have a video appointment with a doctor from the comfort of their home or office, all from a smartphone. This technology promises to be life-changing for residents in rural areas, such as Ahousaht, where it can be challenging to access timely, local healthcare.
“Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia need to have access to technologies to fully participate in the digital age,” said Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, in the news release. “People living in Ahousaht will be connected to cellular service and improved Internet access for the first time. Better access means community members will benefit from digital tools that can increase health services, education and employment opportunities.”
Construction on the cell site in Ahousaht began earlier this year following a comprehensive engineering review. Telus said, where possible, the company engages local contractors to support their network investments, and hired local equipment and equipment operators to build the site, and also used locally available concrete and gravel. Telus expects that once live, the site will provide wireless coverage to the vast majority of the community and new development area.
This $500,000 investment is part of Telus’s commitment to invest $4.7 billion throughout British Columbia between 2017 and 2020, at no cost to taxpayers, Telus said.
