Innisfail's Internet service is about to go the speed of light.
The Innisfail Province received confirmation from Telus last week that starting the end of April, construction will begin on Innisfail's new fibre optic network and continue over the next few months.
“Telus is going to invest millions of dollars into a fibre optic network that will potentially connect to every home in Innisfail,” said Chris Gerritsen, a spokesman from Telus.
He noted that the service upgrade will be completed at no cost to the municipality and businesses in the area.
“Once the build is complete, in mid to late 2014, 90 per cent of Innisfail customers will have access to our fibre optic network,” added Gerritsen. “The difference in speeds available up to 100 megabytes per second will be incredible compared to our present rates, transforming the way people and business interact.”
The Telus spokesperson said salespeople will be out knocking on doors starting late in April.
“Our goal is to inform the 8,000 Innisfailians about Telus fibre optic network and services,” he added. “In terms of cost to the consumer, there will be different packages depending on the need of the consumer that will be competitive. Our prime goal is to offer choice to Innisfail customers. That is important to us.”
Olds received its fibre optic network in July of last year with the implementation of O-NET. Its effect upon the community was deemed by locals as a monumental improvement over the past service. Internet speed went from an average of 16.6 Mb/s (megabytes per second) up to one gigabyte per second at a lower cost to consumers.
O-NET is the marketing brand of Olds Fibre Ltd., a private company owned by the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development, made up of the Olds Agricultural Society, Olds and District Chamber of Commerce, Olds College and the Town of Olds.
The Town of Olds lent $6 million to the venture, while a $4-million line of credit helped develop the network after existing service providers refused to offer fibre optic services to the town.
“It is a compliment to O-NET that Telus is now offering their fibre optics network to Innisfail and Didsbury,” said Nathan Kusiek, O-NET customer experience manager. “The Internet realm is a competitive business, and this means that they are taking notice of what we have done in Olds.”
Craig Teal, the town's director, of planning and operational services, was pleased that Telus was bringing their fibre optics network to Innisfail.
“This will provide another option for business and citizens of Innisfail, not only in terms of services, but work options as well,” said Teal. “It opens the door for employees to telecommute more effectively.”
When asked about the upcoming Downtown Revitalization Project, he said coordination between Telus and town construction crews would be necessary once both projects are underway.
Doug Bos, Innisfail town councillor and owner of Discovery Wildlife Park, said the new high-speed service will benefit the entire community.
“Any time you can bring increased Internet speeds and increase connectivity to a community it is a good thing,” said Bos. “From a town perspective, with Telus coming in, it will complete the Alberta Super Net project that was introduced five or six years ago and bring those services to the community at large.”
He added that the speed of interac and credit card transactions will increase helping to build a positive experience for customers of local companies.
“This will be a huge benefit to Innisfail citizens and businesses,” added Bos. “Just like in the case of Olds, if we can retain our present business core and attract more companies because we do have a fibre optics network, it is a win-win.”
Meanwhile, Nick Poirier, media relations manager of Shaw Communications Inc. - Telus' main competitor - said he had no comment at this time about Telus' plans to introduce its new fibre optic network.
