Canadian broadband services provider Xplore Inc. (formerly Xplornet Communications Inc.) says it is bringing its first fiber broadband customers in Quebec online. The company is now offering services, including gigabit broadband, to approximately 6000 homes and businesses in communities around Val-des-Sources, the MRC Papineau, and the MRC Pontiac in Quebec.
The initial 6000 premises are part of more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Val-des-Sources, La Tuque, the MRC Papineau, the MRC Pontiac, and the Gatineau Valley that Xplore plans to connect via fiber to the premises (FTTP) as part of the Government of Quebec's Operation Haute Vitesse program. The company says it plans to fund connections to additional customers in these markets as well. Overall, Xplore says it will deploy more than 3,200 km of fiber across Quebec to connect 61 rural communities.
The company asserts that it has access to all the resources it needs to accomplish the rollout. "Access to gigabit speeds will ensure that more people who live and work in rural Quebec communities will be able to connect without compromise," said Allison Lenehan, president and CEO of Xplore. "Our crews are working hard to continue our efforts to give people the digital tools they need to more fully enjoy rural living."
Xplore has announced plans to spend CAN$500 million by 2025 to deploy fiber and 5G fixed wireless technology in the markets it serves. In addition to Quebec, Xplore has fiber deployments underway in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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