Axia Connect (a subsidiary of Axia NetMedia) has begun investing in FTTP networks in small communities. Fibre internet is now available in Vulcan, Nanton and Nobleford. Construction on fibre networks in Barnwell,88 Stirling,88 and Pincher Creek90 was announced in spring 2016. Before investing in a community fibre build, Axia first requires that 30% of homes and businesses in the town register their interest at Axia.com. Axia’s fibre plans start at $59/month for 25 Mbps symmetric service on a two year contract. Ontario based VMedia has also partnered with Axia to offer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service and television packages in Axia’s FTTP communities.91
TELUS has deployed or is in the process of deploying FTTP networks in 24 regions in Alberta, including 17 communities with a population of less than 10,000, under a similar initiative. Internet, voice and television services will soon be available over fibre in a number of rural communities, as laid out in Telus’ map.92 Advertised internet speeds available in rural fibre communities are the same as in the urban centres.
Please see the Municipal/Community Networks section for more information about rural fibre in Olds and Waterton.
References
88. Axia. Barnwell to become next fibre optic community, 13 April 2016. Accessed 10 June, 2016.
89. Axia. Axia announces fibre optic expansion to Stirling, AB, 1 June 2016. Accessed 10 June 2016.
90. Axia. Axia announces fibre optic expansion to Pincher Creek, AB, 22 June 2016. Accessed 29 July 2016.
91. Axia. VMedia offers Axia customers a new way of watching TV, 24 May 2016. Accessed 12 June 2016.
92. Telus. Telus Fibre. Accessed 10 June 2016.