Gigabit Fibe Internet and Fibe TV services are coming to Churchill, MTS and Bell announced in Manitoba’s Hudson Bay port town Aug. 29.
“The upgrade to world-class broadband services will be a welcome and much needed addition to our community,” said Churchill Mayor Michael Spence. “This innovative and critical piece of infrastructure will greatly enhance tourism, support regional health care, and provide additional supports for our young people through education and expanded research. In addition, the upgraded technology will support future opportunities for Canada’s only Arctic seaport.”
The Gigabit Fibe Internet service offers average Internet speeds up to 20 times faster than those currently offered by MTS.
“Bell MTS is proud to contribute to the Churchill community,” said Bell group president and chief brand officer Wade Oosterman. “We plan to deliver world-class communications services throughout Manitoba, from more remote communities like Churchill to the largest urban centres, all of which will benefit from the social, economic and innovation opportunities enabled by advanced broadband networks like Fibe and mobile LTE.”
“Broadband communications infrastructure plays a vital role in attracting new businesses, residents and visitors by supporting enhanced connectivity, security and development opportunities for everyone in the community,” said MTS senior vice-president of network and field services Patricia Solman. “This Bell MTS service expansion will help bring the world to Churchill, and Churchill to the world.”
“Our government welcomes investments that will enhance the safety and efficiency of trade, travel and tourism opportunities for our province,” said Manitoba Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade Cliff Cullen. “We are optimistic that today’s commitment by Bell MTS will provide new opportunities for the diversification of business opportunities throughout the region.”
“Today`s announcement is a positive step forward for rural Manitoba,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Improved broadband is an issue facing too many rural communities in our province. Providing rural businesses with the tools to be competitive will help them grow their business and open up new opportunities. Bell MTS understands the importance of connecting people and is taking an important step towards addressing rural concerns.”
“This is an exciting development for Churchill,” said Travel Manitoba president and CEO Colin Ferguson. “Visitors from our international markets are looking for the kind of ‘bucket list’ experiences that Churchill has to offer. World-class communications go hand in hand with world-class tourism products.”
Bell announced in May that it was acquiring MTS for approximately $3.9 billion and that it has plans to spend about $1 billion over five years to expand broadband fibre and wireless communications services in Manitoba if the merger of the companies is approved, which could occur late this year or early next year. The company previously announced plans to establish continuous broadband wireless coverage along Highway 75 in southern Manitoba and to expand mobile and wireline broadband networks in Northern Manitoba along Highway 6 to Thompson, in Flin Flon and in five small indigenous communities.
If the acquisition of MTS is approved, the company’s Manitoba operations will be known as Bell MTS and Winnipeg will become the headquarters of the company’s entire Western Canada team, which would have 6,900 employees once MTS’s 2,700 employees are included.
