KAMLOOPS and WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. – As part of a strategic partnership with the province, Telus has invested a total of more than $3.1 million to bring its 4G LTE network to stretches of highway through Little Fort, Avola and to more than 12 kilometres of highway from Williams Lake to McLeese Lake. Telus’ 4G wireless network is also now live in Hinton and Jasper, Alberta and Moncton, New Brunswick.
The two new wireless sites in Little Fort and Avola provide service to about 17 kilometres of Highway 24 from the Interlakes area to Little Fort and about 13 kilometres of Highway 5 through Avola. The site at Williams Lake and McLeese Lake provides wireless service to residents, businesses and travellers along Highway 97 in between those areas.
“At Telus, we know how important wireless services are, and continue to make significant investments in our networks to bring them to our customers in the Thompson-Nicola Region and right across Canada,” said Steve Jenkins, Telus general manager for the Southern Interior. “Our significant investment along these two highways gives motorists, as well as area residents and businesses, the convenience of making hands-free wireless calls along stretches of highway that are often remote, expands access to 911, and allows for great broadband service where it may not be possible to build wired Internet access.”
Bert Braybrook, Telus director customer solutions for Northern British Columbia added that Telus is also making significant investments to bring wireless service to customers travelling Highway 1 in British Columbia and across Canada. “Our significant investment in this site serving Highway 97 gives motorists, as well as area residents and businesses, the convenience of making hands-free wireless calls along a well-travelled stretch of highway, and expands access to 911.”
The projects are part of the 10-year Connecting British Columbia agreement signed with the Province of B.C. early last year. Under the terms of the contract Telus will connect more than 1,700 kilometres of highway with wireless service.
The investment is part of $3 billion in infrastructure and facilities upgrades being made across British Columbia through 2014 and builds upon the $26 billion Telus has already invested in operations and technology throughout the province since 2000.
