As part of a strategic partnership with the Province, TELUS has invested $675,000 to bring new wireless coverage to more than 14 kilometers of Highway 97 between McLeese Lake and Marguerite.
The site, located about five kilometers west of McLeese Lake, is now live, Telus noted in a press release.
“At TELUS, we know how important wireless services are, and continue to make significant investments in our networks to bring them to our customers in the Southern Interior and right across Canada,” said Bert Braybrook, TELUS general manager for the Kamloops Cariboo region.
“We heard from residents in the area that the community and this stretch of highway were in need of crucial wireless services, and our significant investment means that the community is now connected to high-speed wireless Internet. Most importantly, this investment expands access to 911, making highway travel safer for area residents and visitors.”
The project is part of the 10-year Connecting British Columbia agreement 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.
“Expanding cellular coverage along B.C.’s highways improves safety and brings benefits to local residents, businesses and travellers,” said Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “The new service between McLeese Lake and Marguerite is the latest example of our ongoing work to improve connectivity around the province.”
This significant investment is part of $3 billion in infrastructure and facilities upgrades TELUS is making across British Columbia through 2014 and builds upon the $29 billion TELUS has already invested in operations and technology throughout the province since 2000.