NATASHQUAN, QC – Telus will bring improved broadband and cellular service to the Basse-Côte-Nord (Lower North Shore) region of Quebec thanks to $22.1 million from the federal and provincial governments.
Under the Société du Plan Nord and the Connect to Innovate program, the Quebec and federal governments will each contribute $11.05 million and Telus will invest $1.2 million to improve access to high-speed Internet and establish cellular service for the first time in the region.
The current Basse-Côte-Nord region telecommunications network serves 14 communities spread over nearly 400 km, and the upgrade will increase the data transmission capacity of the current Internet service 40-fold. Field surveys will begin in July and the service will be implemented gradually starting in the fall of 2019.
"Telus is proud to act as coordinating manager of one of the biggest digital infrastructure projects north of the 49th parallel”, said François Gratton, EVP and president, business solutions east and Telus Québec, in the news release. “Day in and day out, our teams will apply their creativity and the best technology available to foster the development of Québec's regions. By 2020, we will have invested more than $300 million to offer very high-speed Internet throughout eastern Québec. The technological challenge that the Basse-Côte-Nord region poses consists in relying on a wireless solution to connect all of the region's residents to the rest of the world. It is a veritable bridge to the future that we are going to create and support for many years to come."
"The establishment in the Basse-Côte-Nord region, which has specific geographic conditions, of a high-speed Internet network and a reliable cellular telephony service poses a challenge”, added Pierre Arcand, minister responsible for government administration and ongoing program review, chair of the conseil du trésor and minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region. “High-speed Internet access is, however, essential to the economic and social development of the northern regions. The enhancements to the telecommunications network will undoubtedly improve the links with the villages and public services."
