Telus is building up its network in Kelowna and West Kelowna, with a $40 million investment this year.
According to the company, they’ll reach more people with their gigabit-enabled fibre optic network and improve high-speed internet in the area.
By the end of 2019, Telus will have invested $51 billion in British Columbia since the year 2000.
“Our massive fibre optic network build in Kelowna and West Kelowna is nearing completion,” said Steven Jenkins, Telus General Manager for the Southern Interior, in a statement. “Telus has deep roots in these communities, and is committed to making the investment needed to bring our neighbours world-class telecommunications services to keep people, businesses, healthcare facilities, and educators connected.
“We remain committed to supporting our community during a crisis, whether that’s ensuring our wireless networks are up and running so people can stay up to date on alerts, or that our local evacuations shelters are stocked with food, water and the comforts of home.”
In the province, Telus is expanding its wireless service to cover more than 1,540 kilometres of highway that didn’t have service before.
This year, more communities will be connected to the gigabit-enabled Telus Fibre network, including Vernon.
If Kelowna residents are curious what a fibre connection might mean for them, the Future Home has returned to Kelowna, located in the parking lot of the Orchard Park Mall until May 29. There, visitors will get a sneak preview into what a home of the future could look like, including a face-scanning front door, intelligent kitchen and 4K Ultra-HD entertainment system.
According to Telus, a recently commissioned study has shown that fibre optic connection could make Kelowna homes more desirable and valuable. They found that 39 per cent of Canadians would be willing to pay more to live in a neighbourhood connected by a high-speed, high-capacity fibre optic network.
When it comes to buying a new home, 35 per cent of Canadians said they would choose living in a fibre-connected community over a shorter commute to work.
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