Internet, phone, and television provider Telus recently announced plans to invest $2 billion dollars into Alberta over the next two years. Part of that investment will bring broadband internet to Hussar.
Hussar, along 18 other communities, should see high speed internet by the end of 2012.
“I would say it’s a definite benefit,” said Bruce Kaufman, Mayor of Hussar.
Residents of Hussar have been using wireless internet services and prior to that, dial-up. The expansion by Telus would give Hussar bandwidth and service similar to that of more urban areas.
The 18 communities listed by Telus have one thing in common.
“These communities are remote or geographically challenging communities to connect,” said Chris Gerritsen, Telus media relations. “Part of that $2 billion will go towards connecting them.”
In addition to Hussar and the 17 other communities, 37 other communities will be connected to broadband internet service by 2014.
Telus is also expanding its 4G LTE wireless network to seven communities, none of which are Drumheller. But, more communities will be added over the next few years.
Through its acquisition of Wolf Medical Systems, Telus has created a new division dedicated to providing cloud-based medical records to Alberta physicians. The goal is to improve information sharing and better delivery of services.
“It puts health care management into the hands of the patient,” said Gerritsen. “Telus is committed to better health care. It’ll benefit everybody in the entire province.”
To accommodate Telus’s expanded services, they will be hiring 750 new employees.
