Bell and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent today announced that Bell will bring its all-fibre broadband network directly to approximately 38,000 residences and business locations in the region, starting in Chatham and expanding to Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury and Wallaceburg.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope applauded Bell’s plan, saying it is a major step forward for the community.
“Enhanced communications capability is one of the keys to the future and a strategy I’ve been working on for our communities,” Mayor Hope said in a media release.
Bell officials say Bell’s fibre to the premises (FTTP) service delivers the best Internet and business communications services, with symmetrical data access speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) now and ultimately speeds of 40 Gbps and beyond in future.
Bell fibre also powers the latest advances in Fibe TV and Alt TV, the next-generation television services that have made Bell the largest TV provider in Canada.
“Bell’s all-fibre network will be a major contributor to ongoing economic growth in the region as Chatham-Kent establishes itself as one of Canada’s broadband communications leaders,” stated Bruce Furlong, Bell’s Vice President, Network.
“Municipal officials and staff were quick to recognize the benefits this next-generation communications infrastructure will bring to both residents and businesses, and we look forward to their continued support as we begin this major project.”
Fully funded by Bell, the network deployment will include more than 270 kilometres of fibre installed both underground and on utility poles.
Construction is set to begin this summer, with the first customer connections expected in the fall.
Don Shropshire, Chatham-Kent’s Chief Administrative Officer, said the Chatham project is the first phase of bringing Bell’s advanced communications services to the region.
“Economies of scale make Chatham a good first choice, and we look forward to working with Bell to expand this technology throughout Chatham-Kent,” Shropshire said in a media release.
Bell will employ innovative installation techniques to minimize disruption to residents and businesses throughout the FTTP deployment. Drilling will occur on municipal rights-of-way and not on private property. Bell representatives will notify residents before work begins in their neighbourhood.
For more information about Bell fibre services, please visit Bell.ca/Internet or Business.Bell.ca.
Well, I think to make the investment for the internet to widely spread in the country is helpful for the countries economy to grow.