Barrhead can expect a TELUS investment of $800,000 sometime this year, which is expected to enhance wireless service to meet growing demand.
The money will go towards expanding LTE, the world’s fastest wireless technology that offers Internet downloads and uploads two to three times faster than previous speeds.
TELUS said the investment will help advance services in Barrhead by:
• Installing new wireless sites to expand the reach of LTE and enhance wireless capacity by filling in coverage gaps
• Updating older infrastructure and technology to enhance network reliability
• Providing access to innovative healthcare IT solutions
The information was presented to Town councillors at their regular meeting May 26.
“By investing $800,000 in Barrhead this year, TELUS is keeping customers connected to one of the largest and fastest wireless broadband networks available anywhere in the world,” said TELUS general manager Nader Hodaly in a letter to councillors. “Expanding and enhancing our wireless network in Barrhead means incredible speeds downloading tunes or visiting your favourite social media sites to making video calls with friends and family in another part of the country.”
Deputy Mayor Ty Assaf said he is grateful to the fact TELUS will be contributing into the community to increase the wireless coverage in Barrhead, however he doesn’t think the company has done enough.
“I was on the phone with them last week, and apparently certain people in our office here, because they live in a certain part of town, get service that’s three times better than mine,” said Assaf. “There is nothing on the horizon for upgrades. When I asked what dictates a certain part of town to get this service, she could not give me the answer.”
Assaf also said $800,000 isn’t a lot when it comes to the wireless world.
Coun. Don Smith said the Beaverbrook area has had challenges with TELUS service in the past, but there have been improvements.
Although the company has taken its time getting to this point, Smith he believes it bodes well for Barrhead that TELUS has decided to contribute these funds.
“Maybe there are better things to come in the future,” said Smith. “It is a start, and they are starting to spend money so let’s keep our fingers crossed that they will continue to invest in our community.”
TELUS also has to keep up with its competitors, like SHAW, added Smith.
Assaf agreed the investment is a step in the right direction, but said it looks like TELUS is only stepping up now that Shaw is making more of a presence in the area.
Council moved to accept the letter as information.
