Bell brings the world’s best Internet technology to Chatham-Kent
More than 38,000 residences and businesses to have direct connections to Bell’s all-fibre broadband network
CHATHAM-KENT, ON, May 23, 2018 – Bell and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent today announced that Bell will bring its all-fibre broadband network directly to approximately 38,000 residences and business locations in the region, starting in Chatham and expanding to Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury and Wallaceburg.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope applauded Bell’s plan, saying it is a major step forward for the community. “Enhanced communications capability is one of the keys to the future and a strategy I’ve been working on for our communities.”
Bell’s fibre to the premises (FTTP) service delivers the best Internet and business communications services, with symmetrical data access speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) now and ultimately speeds of 40 Gbps and beyond in future. Bell fibre also powers the latest advances in Fibe TV and Alt TV, the next-generation television services that have made Bell the largest TV provider in Canada.
“Bell’s all-fibre network will be a major contributor to ongoing economic growth in the region as Chatham-Kent establishes itself as one of Canada’s broadband communications leaders,” said Bruce Furlong, Bell’s Vice President, Network. “Municipal officials and staff were quick to recognize the benefits this next-generation communications infrastructure will bring to both residents and businesses, and we look forward to their continued support as we begin this major project.”
Fully funded by Bell, the network deployment will include more than 270 kilometres of fibre installed both underground and on utility poles. Construction is set to begin this summer, with the first customer connections expected in the fall.
Don Shropshire, Chatham-Kent’s Chief Administrative Officer, said the Chatham project is the first phase of bringing Bell’s advanced communications services to the region. “Economies of scale make Chatham a good first choice, and we look forward to working with Bell to expand this technology throughout Chatham-Kent.”
Bell will employ innovative installation techniques to minimize disruption to residents and businesses throughout the FTTP deployment. Drilling will occur on municipal rights-of-way and not on private property. Bell representatives will notify residents before work begins in their neighbourhood.
For more information about Bell fibre services, please visit Bell.ca/Internet or Business.Bell.ca.
About Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent is a municipality of more than 100,000 people in Southwestern Ontario with a storied agricultural legacy and a commitment to embracing the future. #ckont Chatham-Kent
About Bell
Founded in 1880, Bell is the country’s oldest and largest telecommunications provider and continues to lead the way in Canadian communications with a strategy of unparalleled investment in broadband network and service innovation.
Bell invests more than $4 billion each year in Canada’s next-generation network infrastructure, delivering world-class fibre connections to the home and business, Canada’s Best National Mobile Network, and the country’s largest network of 28 state-of-the-art data hosting and cloud computing centres. Bell Media is Canada’s premier content creation company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home and digital media.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
The Bell Let’s Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and provides significant funding for community care and access, research and workplace initiatives in every region.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
SOURCE Bell Canada
Media inquiries:
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Jim Blake
519-360-1998 x 3624
519-355-4060
jimbl@chatham-kent.ca
Bell
Nathan Gibson
905-614-9596
nathan.gibson@bell.ca
@Bell_News