Telus has announced that it will spend $2 billion in Alberta over the next three years, including for the expansion of 4G LTE service to Red Deer and other communities.
The national telecommunications company said 4G LTE, which is currently available in Edmonton and Calgary, will be extended to Red Deer and six other cities in 2012. It added that more communities will be added thereafter, if it is able to secure additional wireless spectrum from Industry Canada.
Telus also plans to connect 18 remote communities to broadband Internet this year, including Donalda. A further 37 communities are expected to gain access to high speed internet by 2014.
“We will continue to expand wireline broadband access to rural and remote communities and deliver 4G LTE, the world’s fastest wireless technology, to more than 80 per cent of Albertans by the end of this year,” said Telus president and CEO Darren Entwistle in a release.
4G LTE (long term evolution) represents the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards.
Telus also plans to expand its Optik TV service, so that nearly 70 per cent of Alberta households will be able to access it by the end of 2012.
The $2 billion will result in the hiring of 750 people across Alberta this year to support its Optik TV and wireless growth, said Telus.