New measures will enable faster access to infrastructure to
advance rollout of high-speed Internet services in Québec
MONTRÉAL, Oct. 30, 2020 /CNW
Telbec/ - Following an extensive joint technical review that
began earlier this year, Bell today announced several new measures
to simplify the process for access to poles by recipients of the
Québec Branché and Régions Branchées grant programs and other
service providers.
The new process is the result of a joint effort to speed up
access to structures, led by the Coordination Table co-created by
Bell, Hydro-Québec, Telus and the Ministry of Economic Development,
Innovation and Export Trade.
Throughout the summer, Bell and Hydro-Québec commissioned
external engineering companies to review the applicable standards
and propose new measures that could be implemented safely to
provide faster access to Bell poles. Matters pertaining to
electricity distribution remain at the discretion of Hydro-Québec.
These revisions will enable licensees to ramp up the deployment of
their broadband networks, benefiting all residents of Québec.
"Playing a leading role in delivering broadband Internet to even
more homes and businesses is at the core of Bell's goal to advance
how Québecers communicate with each other and world," said
Karine Moses, Bell's Vice Chair,
Québec. "The new standard for access to our infrastructure is
another example of our commitment to expand broadband networks and
communications services throughout the province, which ranks as one
of the greatest projects undertaken since the electrification of
Québec."
Bell has shown unprecedented leadership in communications
innovation in Québec, delivering our all-fibre network and
high-speed Internet service to millions of Québec residences and
business locations. We also recently launched a revolutionary new
service to provide broadband access to underserved small towns and
rural communities throughout the province. Fully funded by Bell,
Wireless Home Internet service is already reaching thousands of
homes in Québec with recently increased download speeds up to 50
Mbps and upload speeds up to 10 Mbps (50/10), doubling previously
available speeds.
To address the many technical challenges associated with the
deployment of fibre networks, Bell, Hydro-Québec, Telus and the
Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade have
established a Coordination Table to facilitate the implementation
of high-speed Internet access projects throughout Québec. The
primary goal is to provide faster access to poles for all service
providers while complying with all safety standards. Every day,
since the Table was created, obstacles to the rollout of networks
are being removed.
Several meetings were held with various service providers
requesting access to structures to facilitate better communication,
assist them with their deployment plans, and improve coordination
between all parties to implement their projects.
About Bell
Canada's largest communications company
with more than 22 million consumer and business connections, Bell
provides advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business
communication services throughout the country. Bell Media is
Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in
television, radio, out of home and digital media. Founded in
Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE:
BCE). To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's
Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access,
research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the
country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries:
Caroline Audet
514-391-9794
caroline.audet@bell.ca
@Bell_news
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
SOURCE Bell Canada