Many local wireless users will soon see a boost in service as a result of a $1.5-million investment in infrastructure.
Telus has earmarked $1.5 million specifically for St. Albert, out of a total infrastructure investment of $2 billion that is being distributed throughout the province this year.
Chris Gerritsen, Telus representative, said the decision was made based on need in terms of growth, sustainability and increasing wireless capacity in the specified area.
“It’s all part of our commitment to the province,” he said. “This is a significant amount of money, but it’s important to continue to invest in the community.”
He was not able to comment on the number of St. Albert residents this investment will affect, as releasing customer numbers could affect competition, he said.
The funds will go towards enhancing the company’s 4G wireless network, which claims to be the fastest wireless technology available worldwide.
“There’s more and more smartphones out there — more so than your standard cellphone that was once a voice tool to make phone calls,” he said. “Now this is an actual computer on your hip and that needs a significant amount of capacity to be able to be effectively used.”
The company has identified gaps in coverage and intends to address these gaps with the allocated funding.
Although the investment is aimed at keeping existing customers satisfied, Gerritsen acknowledged it would also assist in bringing in new customers.
He said the work has already started locally.
Along with investing in urban communities like St. Albert, Telus intends to connect 18 remote locations with broadband Internet by the end of the year, with an additional 37 communities planned in the coming years.
