TELUS plans billion-dollar FTTP roll out in Vancouver

Canadian service provider TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) has announced plans to spend CAN$1 billion to deploy fiber to the premises (FTTP) to most of the homes and businesses in the City of Vancouver over the next five years. TELUS adds it plans to use the fiber-optic network infrastructure as the backbone of an enhanced wireless offering.

TELUS says it initially will offer 150-Mbps download speeds over the new infrastructure, but called the FTTP plant "gigabit-enabled" with an eye towards offering higher data rates in the future. The company expects to connect initial customers early next year.

"Our $1 billion investment will provide one of Canada's largest urban centers with ubiquitous access to the fastest and most reliable Internet services to dramatically improve the way Vancouverites live, work, and socialize," said Darren Entwistle, TELUS president and CEO. "Once complete, TELUS's fiber build will add more than 400,000 homes, businesses, hospitals, community centers, and municipal offices to our fiber-lit landscape."

The infrastructure upgrade is part of a larger plan that will see TELUS invest an additional CAN$4 billion in British Columbia through 2018.

TELUS has been active in FTTP for several years. Ian Williams, design specialist II within the access technologies and outside plant support team at the Canadian carrier, received the FTTXcellence Award in 2009 (see "TELUS design specialist wins 2009 FTTXcellence Award").

For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.