As a result of a strategic partnership with the Province, Telus has invested $1 million in a new wireless site in Blue River to bring 4G wireless voice and high-speed Internet services to community residents, businesses and motorists along sections of Highway 5 for the first time ever.
"Now that we have high speed and cellphone service, we have a lot of information overload, or maybe call it technology overload ... not that I'm complaining," said Willow MacDonald, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director for Thompson Headwaters (Area B).
"At Telus, we know how important wireless services are, and continue to make significant investments in our networks to bring them to our customers. The benefits of wireless service are many and range from economic growth through to improved safety and security for the community," said Bert Braybrook, director of customer solutions delivery. "Our $1 million investment in Blue River gives motorists on Highway 5, and area residents and businesses, the convenience of making wireless calls from wherever they are, expands access to 911 and allows for great broadband service where it may not be possible to build wired Internet access."
The project is a result of the 10-year Connecting British Columbia agreement signed with the Province of B.C. in 2011. Under the terms of the contract Telus will connect more than 1,700 kilometers of highway with wireless service over five years and run fibre-optic cable directly to nearly 450 B.C. schools.
"It's easy to take Internet access for granted and forget that some communities still don't have the type of high-speed access we rely on enjoy," said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. "I'm pleased that families and businesses along Highway 5 will have access to high-speed internet to help them stay connected."
This year alone, Telus is investing $670 million across British Columbia to further expand and enhance its advanced 4G wireless and wire-line networks. This investment builds upon the $24 billion Telus has invested in its operations and technology in the province over the last 10 years.