Canadian provider Bell MTS is investing in next-generation network infrastructure as part of the expansion, which will bring fibre connections to more than 6,500 locations.
The expansion is fully funded by Bell, which has undertaken what it describes as its most aggressive fibre buildout this year. It plans to reach up to 900,000 more homes and businesses across Canada with direct fibre connections by the end of 2022, by which point it will have invested around $14bn in capital expenditures since 2020, including approximately $5bn this year to accelerate the rollout of its broadband fibre, 5G and wireless home internet networks.
In addition to this expansion into Blumenort, Ile des Chênes, Landmark, Matlock, St. Adolphe, Stony Mountain and Winnipeg Beach, Bell MTS is nearing final completion of its fibre network builds in Altona, Plum Coulee, Emerson and Morris. Announced last September, Bell MTS will connect approximately 4,500 new locations in the Pembina Valley region.
WesTaplin, Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Rockwood comments: ‘Access to high-speed, more reliable broadband will allow residents, businesses and families to more easily participate in the digital economy and take advantage of the remarkable advances in telehealth, remote learning, e-commerce, and online entertainment. We are excited that Bell MTS is investing in a fibre Internet solution for Stony Mountain and we look forward to enhanced community connectivity for many years to come.’
Ryan Klassen, vice chair of Bell MTS and Western Canada: ‘At Bell MTS, we are proud to be expanding the deployment of our faster, more climate-resilient fibre networks in rural Manitoba, enabling brand new economic opportunities for both businesses and consumers in seven more communities across the province. Today's announcement builds on our industry-leading capital expenditure plan to connect more Manitobans in communities large and small with the best network technology available to communicate, learn, travel and stay informed.’
