World-class fibre-to-the-home network coming to Prince Edward Island
Bell Aliant introduces FibreOP(TM), delivering the best Internet with fastest upload and download speeds
available and crystal clear TV
SUMMERSIDE, PE, Sept. 29 2010 --
Aliant's FibreOP(TM) network, offering the highest bandwidth available for both sending and receiving data
with FibreOP Internet, and providing crystal clear TV with FibreOP TV.
Bell Aliant and the Government of Prince Edward Island made the announcement today at the Holland
College Marine Training Centre in Summerside.
Bell Aliant is investing $20 million to serve approximately 30,000 homes and businesses in Charlottetown
and Summerside by the end of 2011. This will include economic spin-offs in the range of $2-3 million for
services acquired from companies based in Prince Edward Island. As part of the project, the Government of
Prince Edward Island is providing $300,000 in Labour Market Development funding for workforce training
under the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Agreement, and is renewing its strategic
partnership with Bell Aliant with a three-year extension of its existing service agreement.
"FibreOP uses the best broadband technology in the world, and we are very pleased to be bringing it to
Prince Edward Island," said Karen Sheriff, President and CEO, Bell Aliant. "Customers will be able to
experience Internet and TV like never before. Our FibreOP network is built for the future to meet the
changing needs of our customers as technology evolves and the demand for bandwidth grows."
"Access to high-speed Internet service is an ingredient of economic and social development across the
Island community. We're happy that Bell Aliant will make this fibre-to-the-home network available to
business, educators and homes on Prince Edward Island," said Premier Robert Ghiz.
This investment is part of Bell Aliant's almost half billion dollar investment in fibre-to-the-home (FTTH),
expanding FibreOP services to more than 600,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2012.
FibreOP services will be available to customers in Charlottetown beginning in early spring and available to
residents of Summerside by mid-2011.
FibreOP is the only 100 per cent fibre-optic network straight to a customer's home, delivering the best
Internet with the fastest upload and download speeds available and crystal clear TV.
- FibreOP Internet offers choices in speeds including exceptionally fast
upload Internet service. These speeds enable customers to download
music or movies, and share video or photos faster than ever before.
Increasing the capacity of upload speeds in addition to download is
important to ensure the fastest two-way and overall Internet experience.
- FibreOP TV offers a 100 per cent digital TV service including High
Definition television, available on all TVs, and watch and record PVR.
Customers can enjoy unmatched digital picture and sound quality on over
200 channels, 60 HD channels and over 98 music channels.
Bell Aliant was recently recognized for their contribution to fibre-to-the-home deployment in North America,
with the FTTXcellence Award presented at the 2010 FTTH Conference.
About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and the first
company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP(TM)
services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative
information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added
business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services and
advanced technology solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the highest quality of customer service,
choice and convenience.
For further information:
Isabelle Robinson, Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs, 877-799-6299, isabelle.robinson@bellaliant.ca;
Ron Ryder, Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning, (902) 620-3774, rrryder@gov.pe.ca
SOURCE Bell Aliant