British Columbia is one of the most connected jurisdictions in North America.
- 92% of British Columbians currently have access to high speed internet.
Telecommunications and Internet links do more than enhance personal communication, they also:
- aid in the delivery of new educational, health care and other services,
- encourage revitalization of rural communities by allowing the people living in those communities to participate in the global knowledged based economy.
Increasingly, these services must be provided over high speed connections to operate effectively and have real impact.
In 2001, the Government of B.C. formed the Premier's Technology Council (PTC) to examine technology-related issues facing British Columbians. The PTC identified 366 communities that were a priority for high speed internet access. For more information about the PTC, visit the Province of British Columbia's website (www.gov.bc.ca) and follow links to the PTC website.
The government formed Network BC in 2003, with a mandate to bridge the digital divide and connect B.C. communities. TELUS has worked closely with Network BC to help fulfill that mandate. In 2008, the Connecting Communities Agreement was extended for two years to ensure that Internet Service Providers accessing services under the Agreement could continue to access affordable, high speed service. Agreement amendments included:
- Continuation of established pricing for connections to the TELUS CO, a slight decline in the price per unit volume pricing; and commitment to an annual Provincial Uniform Pricing review;
- Continuation of the TELUS commitment to non-competition (Note that EVDO is not considered a break of the TELUS non-compete clause);
- Extension of pricing and non-competition to December 31, 2010; and
- Introduction of FDX service offering where TELUS does not require a build.
For more information on Network BC, visit www.network.gov.bc.ca/
TELUS and Government of BC Partnership
Click here to launch the Connecting Communities presentation
On April 7, 2005, the Government of BC, TELUS, and local health regions, schools and crown corporations delivered the first of its kind agreement to bridge the digital by connecting communities, and creating new health care, education, and economic development opportunities in the province.
The agreement is the first of its kind in North America. TELUS, a global telecommunications leader, has fully funded this investment. No other province across the country has seen the same commitment from a telecommunications company. It reflects TELUS' commitment to the sustained prosperity of British Columbia.
For more information, please contact 1-877-663-8211.
