A contractor installs fibre optic cable at the beginning of the Telus project in late 2013. Since then, most of the community has access to the Telus fibre optic network for television and high-speed internet. The remaining work, to be carried out this year, involves adding some multi-unit dwellings and businesses to the network. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Telus plans a further $1.2 million investment in Osoyoos this year for improvements to its fibre optic and wireless networks.
The largest part of the investment will be to extend the fibre optic network to more businesses and multi-unit dwellings such as apartments, condominiums and hotels, said Steve Jenkins, Telus general manager for the Southern Interior.
More than 90 per cent of homes and businesses in Osoyoos have been connected to Telus fibre over the last two years, including almost all single-family homes.
A smaller portion of the investment will be to increase the capacity of the wireless network, although this will not entail construction of any new towers, Jenkins said.
With the seasonal nature of Osoyoos, every summer Telus gets more demand for wireless access as people use tablets, phones and other wireless devices, Jenkins said. The improvements will allow additional network traffic.
At the end of the work that’s taking place throughout 2016, there will be more than 5,000 fibre connections to homes and businesses in Osoyoos, he said.
Osoyoos was one of the first communities to receive the fibre optic network two years ago. Key lessons from the experience here have been applied to more than 60 communities in B.C., Alberta and Quebec, Jenkins said.
The seasonality of Osoyoos has been a challenge for Telus, he said, because with many people away in winter months especially, it’s been hard to gain access to some multi-unit dwellings.
“So it’s really just connecting the last few apartment units, hotels, resorts, etc.,” said Jenkins. “The bulk of it is done.”
By the end of 2019, Telus will have invested $51 billion in B.C. since the year 2000, the company said in a news release.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
