Bell Aliant extends FTTH in Quebec

Bell Aliant Inc. (TSX: BA) says it will spend approximately CAN$70 million to deploy fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology to connect 125,000 premises in seven Quebec communities. The build follows successful deployment of the company’s FTTH-based FibreOP services in Quebec City.

The seven communities include Alma, Saguenay (including Chicoutimi, Jonquière, and La Baie), Saint-Félicien, Thetford Mines, and Victoriaville. The company also expects to deploy FTTH in such communities including Rivière-du-Loup and Roberval by the end of the year.

“Fiber-to-the-home is a game changer and we are excited to be bringing this world-class network to more people in Quebec,” said Karen Sheriff, president and CEO at Bell Aliant. “Today’s consumers are more connected than ever and are demanding more bandwidth and speed. By delivering a 100% fiber-optic connection directly to customers’ homes we can continue to bring the fastest Internet and TV experience today and in the future.”

“We are extremely pleased that Bell Aliant is expanding their fiber-to-the-home technology to the Saguenay area,” added Jean Tremblay, mayor of Saguenay. “This innovative broadband network will meet the needs of our citizens and will make our community even more attractive for new investments.”

Bell Aliant offers maximum download speeds of 250 Mbps and upload rates of 30 Mbps through its FibreOP service. The company has deployed FibreOp Bell in Atlantic Canada and Ontario as the Quebec City region (see, for example, "Bell Aliant adds FTTH communities and improves services" and the video "Bell Aliant and FTTH in Canada"). Together, the FTTH network links more than 827,000 premises in more than 70 communities throughout Atlantic Canada and Ontario. The company says it is on track to meet its FTTH footprint target of 1 million homes passed by the end of 2014.

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