TELUS invests $18-million into high-speed internet for North Peace

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – TELUS has announced their investment of $18 million to connect more than 90 per cent of homes and businesses in Fort St. John and Charlie Lake directly to its fibre optic network.

This investment is part of the company’s commitment to invest $4 billion in B.C. through 2018, at no cost to taxpayers.

Planning is currently underway, and construction work is expected to begin in the spring. The company anticipates all homes and businesses will be connected before the end of this year.

Tony Geheran, Executive Vice-President of TELUS and President of Broadband Networks, says direct fibre connection unleashes infinite possibilities now and into the future.

“Along with enhancing the connectivity residents enjoy in their homes, this investment will dramatically enhance the speeds and capacity available to local businesses both small and large, enabling entrepreneurs and organizations to thrive locally while reaching global audiences through the growing digital economy,” he said.

The gigabit-enabled fibre optic network offers ‘dramatically faster’ internet speeds of up to 150 megabits per second.

TELUS says demand and Internet technologies evolving in the coming years will prompt for faster speeds and more capacity, sufficient for decades to come.

Mayor of Fort St. John Lori Ackerman says increased connectivity to the internet can improve quality of life and economic opportunities in the Energetic City.

“This connection could enable the advancement of services in health and education technologies and will benefit our local businesses,” she said.

“We are very pleased with this investment in advanced communications infrastructure in our community.”

“TELUS’ investment in this fibre network ensures the essential high-speed service needed to compete in the 21st century digital economy is available to Fort St. John residents and businesses,” said Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk, adding that the investment aligns with the Province’s #BCTECH strategy.

The B.C. government has a commitment to bring high-speed Internet access to the entire province by 2021.