SMITHERS – As part of a strategic partnership with the Province, TELUS has invested $1 million to build a new wireless site along Highway 16, bringing wireless service to approximately 13 kilometers of highway and the town of Telkwa.
“TELUS’ investment in this site will ensure travelers and residents can make calls along this stretch of highway, and, critically, reach 911 in the event of an emergency,” said Lance MacDonald, TELUS General Manager for Northern British Columbia. “With this new site, TELUS now provides wireless services to more than 508 kilometres of Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George.”
The project is part of the 10-year Connecting British Columbia Agreement TELUS signed with the Province of B.C. in 2011. Under the terms of the agreement TELUS will invest to connect more than 1,700 kilometres of unconnected highways with wireless service.
“Travelers along this section of Highway 16 will appreciate this latest expansion to cellular service, improving both safety and convenience for residents and visitors,” said Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services. “Working with TELUS, more than 1,500 kilometers of new cellular coverage has been completed along unconnected primary and secondary highway segments in B.C. helping to keep British Columbians connected.”
Last year, TELUS announced a commitment to invest $4 billion in British Columbia through 2018 to bring advanced telecommunications infrastructure to every corner of the province, enabling sustained innovation, providing access to world-class education programmes, extending critical healthcare technology to more communities, and fueling economic growth.
