Princeton, B.C. – As part of a strategic partnership with the Province, TELUS has invested $350,000 to build a new wireless site bringing service to Highway 3 between Princeton and Hedley.
This new site builds upon TELUS’ $1.4 million investments in two similar projects announced in the last month, which are providing service to approximately 27 kilometres of Highway 3 and Highway 3A between Princeton and Keremeos.
“We have had great support from the community throughout the process of constructing this new wireless site, and are happy we’re able to bring more coverage to Highway 3 before the busy summer travel season,” said Steven Jenkins, TELUS general manager for the Southern Interior. “I’d like to thank our local TELUS team members who worked tirelessly to get this site in place to provide residents, local businesses and highway travellers improved wireless reception, whether making a simple call home or dialing 911 in an emergency.”
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.
“Wireless service is so important these days, bringing peace of mind for motorists as well as convenience for locals and visitors,” said Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. “It’s great to see TELUS expanding its coverage and bringing more service to Hedley and the region.”
“Better connectivity means safer roads,” said Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola. “Having wireless service along Highway 3 is not only convenient for local residents and tourists; it can also make a real difference when people need to call emergency services.”
TELUS is investing $2.8 billion in new infrastructure and facilities across B.C. through 2016. The company will invest $1.2 billion across the province in 2014, the final year of a three-year plan unveiled in 2012, and committed to spend another $1.6 billion in 2015 and 2016 to build infrastructure, expand urban and rural Internet connectivity and capacity, and bring the world’s fastest wireless technology to more B.C. communities. By the end of 2016, TELUS’ investment in operations, infrastructure and technology across B.C. since 2000 will exceed $40 billion.