MONTREAL – Videotron announced Friday it has completed a series of major investments that have brought high-speed Internet to more than 30,000 households in small towns and rural areas.
Most of the new connections are outside major centres, mainly in the Lanaudière, Lower Laurentians, Outaouais, Eastern Townships, Montérégie, and Charlevoix regions. The network investments started in 2017 and totalled more than $25 million, said the company on Friday.
The company plans to continue making substantial investments to meet the growing need for Internet connectivity and access, continues its statement. Videotron’s network now reaches more than 90% of Quebecers and the company says it now has one of the largest hybrid fibre-coax networks in North America.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Videotron release without a shot at Bell…
Today’s announcement reminded all it filed a request for an investigation with the Competition Bureau of Canada and a lawsuit for damages against Bell on account of how Videotron alleges Bell blocks access to its telephone poles. “Use of the poles is essential for any provider that wants to expand its network. Were it not for Bell’s anti-competitive practices, Videotron could have connected more households to the Internet.”
The Canadian Communication Systems Alliance today signaled its support for Videotron’s position today, as well.
