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Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Bell Aliant, in partnership with Government of New Brunswick, to be first in Canada to launch fibre to the home to an entire city
FibreOP™ 100% fibre optic network will deliver ultimate broadband experience
Aerial network in Fredericton and Saint John ideal for fibre to the home
Province of New Brunswick supports investment in economic development
Fredericton, NB – Bell Aliant, with support from the Government of New Brunswick, will be the first in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre to the home (FTTH) technology. Bell Aliant is investing $60 million to serve 70,000 homes and businesses in Fredericton and Saint John by mid 2010. FibreOP™ customers will have access to an advanced broadband network delivered through 100% fibre-optic technology connected directly to their home. With FibreOp, customers will be able to enjoy the ultimate Internet and TV experience today and into the future. FibreOp products and services will be rolled out to some customers in Fredericton beginning later this year.
“We are excited that our FibreOp launch makes us the first in Canada to offer fibre to the home to serve entire cities,” said Karen Sheriff, President and CEO, Bell Aliant. “In addition to bringing the most advanced technology to our customers, it makes economic sense for Bell Aliant in these markets because of the cost advantages associated with our virtually 100% aerial (above-ground) network infrastructure and low population density.”
The Government of New Brunswick is renewing its strategic partnership with Bell Aliant by extending two existing service agreements for three years. Additionally, to ensure that New Brunswick technology and construction companies participate, the Province is contributing $1 million to the project. In return, as part of the FTTH build, Bell Aliant will award a total of $3 million in project-related contracts to local businesses, delivering further economic benefit to the province.
“We are pleased Bell Aliant has chosen to launch this next-generation broadband network first to our province and expect this leading technology will attract further investment and bring more New Brunswickers home for work, leading us forward on the road to self-sufficiency,” said Premier Shawn Graham. “This project is critical to developing and expanding New Brunswick’s growing ICT sector and will maintain our province’s leadership edge in telecommunications technology across Canada.”
Fibre to the home is an advanced broadband network that provides the ultimate experience for Internet and video services, including high-definition TV. It is the ideal architecture to enable the growing bandwidth needs of customers including the ability to send and receive large amounts of data almost instantly.
FibreOp is a continuation of Bell Aliant’s strategy to bring fibre closer to customers. Bell Aliant currently covers over 240,000 homes with its fibre to the node (FTTN) network. As Bell Aliant moves into these new markets, with one of the most aerial networks in North America and relatively low population density, FTTH costs are comparable to FTTN.
The 2009 portion of Bell Aliant’s investment is included within previously released 2009 capital intensity guidance of 13.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent of revenues, and the remainder is expected to be part of Bell Aliant’s normal capital program in 2010.
“We are proud of our history of innovation here in New Brunswick and to be launching the FibreOp fibre to the home network,” concluded Sheriff. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to using the best of technology to make our customers’ lives better.”
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated future events, results, or expectations, including statements relating to the launch of Bell Aliant’s new fibre to the home network in Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick. Unless otherwise indicated, such statements describe management’s beliefs and expectations as of the date of this release, and may be influenced by future events, some of which, by their nature may be inherently uncertain and beyond management's control. These statements are also subject to other important known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, the extent to which the expected timing and results of the fibre to the home launch are actually realized is subject to these many variables, and it cannot be guaranteed that the events or results predicted in any forward-looking statement will materialize.. Except as may be required by Canadian Securities laws, Bell Aliant disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) is one of North America’s largest regional communications providers. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services. Bell Aliant’s employees are committed to deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.
A webcast of the event will be broadcast live at www.bellaliant.ca and a replay will be available on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.
Media Kit
For more information, contact:Media Relations Isabelle Robinson
Bell Aliant
506-457-5554
isabelle.robinson@bellaliant.ca Investor RelationsZeda Redden
Bell Aliant
902-487-5726
zeda.redden@bellaliant.ca Deborah Nobes
Business New Brunswick
506-444-3323
deborah.nobes@gnb.ca
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