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NEW DENVER –New Denver residents, businesses, and facilities are now connected to TELUS’ high speed Internet, creating new opportunities for economic growth, health care and education, Nelson-Creston MLA Blair Suffredine and TELUS Internet Access Director Blair Miller said today.
“New Denver and the Kootenays already offer a high quality of life, however, services like high-speed Internet also help to attract people,” said Suffredine. “High-speed Internet ensures residents and businesses have the same access to information and services as those in urban centres.”
“We’re working hard at TELUS to connect B.C. to high-speed Internet, bringing people all the benefits the technology allows,” said Miller. “While it is costly to bring high-speed access to rural communities, it is an important component of TELUS’ dedication to supporting economic development and advancing health care and education across the province.”
As part of the Province’s New Era commitment to bridge the digital divide, Premier Gordon Campbell announced in February that government would consolidate its Internet, telephone and voice mail networks with those of other public sector organizations including health authorities and school districts. The goal of the NetWork BC project, led by Management Services Minister Joyce Murray, is to provide high-speed Internet access points in 173 communities, including 100 First Nation communities.
TELUS invested almost $1.8 billion in infrastructure around the province between 2000 and 2003, including $569 million for consumer ADSL infrastructure. As of the end of 2004, that investment means people living in 132 B.C. communities have access to TELUS high-speed Internet. This year, TELUS has connected 13 communities in addition to New Denver: Bowser, Ferne Road, Dengen Bay, Gabriola North, Lake Cowichan, Birch Road, Radium, Mount Paul, Okanagan Falls, Balfour, Ashcroft, Hazelton and Clearwater.
“By giving rural communities access to broadband Internet we are providing them the tools to succeed in today’s World,” said Murray. “High-speed Internet can open doors these communities never thought possible. From telehealth to online education – we are leveling the playing field provincewide.” -30- For more information, visit the NetWork BC website at www.network.gov.bc.ca or TELUS at www.telus.com.
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