MTS plans to pour rocket fuel on Flin Flon’s sluggish internet speeds as part of a massive provincewide upgrade contingent on the company’s takeover.
A news release from MTS and its proposed new owner, Bell Canada, announced wireline network improvements in the community to “significantly boost” internet speeds.
The Reminder received an advance copy of the release on Wednesday, but the information was not allowed to go public until Thursday morning, when company officials were to be in Thompson for an official announcement.
The release mentioned no time frame, nor did it indicate how much faster Flin Flon internet speeds will go beyond the current maximum of 5 Mbps.
The upgrade is part of $1 billion worth of investments Bell has committed to Manitoba if its purchase of MTS receives regulatory approval. The new company stemming from the deal would be known as Bell MTS.
Bell plans other major upgrades in northern Manitoba, including full LTE and HSPA-plus wireless coverage for the Highway 6 corridor to Thompson. This will “significantly” improve safety and connectivity along that important route, according to the companies’ news release.
Bell also plans to expand or introduce wireless and wireline broadband services to five northern indigenous communities: Easterville, Gods Lake Narrows, Gods River, Grand Rapids and Red Sucker Lake.
Wade Oosterman, president and chief brand officer of Bell Group, touted the upgrades.
“The creation of Bell MTS will deliver the benefits of Bell’s transformational broadband investment strategy to Manitobans throughout the province,” he said in the release. “That includes enabling small and remote communities to fully engage in the digital economy and the economic growth ahead for Manitoba.”
Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, the only northern MLA in government, said Bell MTS’s investments “will bring immense improvements to communication across much of northern Manitoba.
“This infrastructure upgrade and network expansion are extremely important for business, social services, recreation and safety in larger centres as well as in remote communities and isolated areas throughout the region. Manitobans in all the affected areas will benefit greatly through this investment.”
Bell announced its proposed $3.9-billion acquisition of MTS in early May. The telecom giant expects the transaction to close in late 2016 or early 2017, though public opposition to the deal has been significant.
