- Internet service providers large and small successfully
leveraging the accelerated infrastructure access process developed
by Bell and partners to drive the project
- But with one year to go before the project deadline, many ISPs
need to quickly step up their deployments to meet the September 30, 2022 deadline
MONTRÉAL, Sept. 28, 2021 /CNW
Telbec/ - With a year to go until the planned completion of
Québec's Operation High Speed initiative, Bell confirms that all of
the solutions put in place for the Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) are paying off. In preparation for this vast project, Bell
has implemented many resources for support and training to
facilitate the ISPs' work. However, Bell is also highlighting
concerns about the successful completion of the initiative by the
September 2022 deadline.
While most of the ISPs involved are taking the project process
seriously and have accelerated their infrastructure access
requests, many are facing significant challenges that could impact
project delivery. As of today, with one year to go before the
September 30, 2022 deadline, many
ISPs are far from delivering the access requests at the necessary
pace. In fact, Bell has received barely half of the requests
required in the agreements with the Québec government. While the
pace has improved recently, a backlog has already been accumulated
in the first five months of the operation.
Bell keeps the government informed of the progress of
infrastructure access requests on a weekly basis and provides
ongoing collaboration to support ISPs experiencing delays.
"For the ISPs who are working to make Operation High Speed a
reality, the coordinated infrastructure permit process is working
very well and we thank them for moving the project forward,
however, the permit requests received to date are not sufficient,"
said Karine Moses, Bell's Vice
Chair, Québec. "The tight timeline set out in the agreements for
the full deployment of high-speed Internet causes significant
challenges, compounded by a shortage of skilled labour, such as
pole planters and other specialized professionals at the heart of
the necessary infrastructure work, in addition to the impacts of
the COVID-19 crisis on the supply chain. This only further
underscores the need for all ISPs involved to step up their game
quickly, otherwise we may collectively face the unfortunate
prospect of seeing the Operation High-Speed deadline pushed back
significantly."
Operation High Speed is based on an unprecedented investment to
bring broadband Internet connections to residents and business
throughout Québec, involving the Québec and federal governments,
ISPs of all sizes, infrastructure owners like Bell, Hydro-Québec
and TELUS, skilled workers throughout Québec, and a broad range of
equipment suppliers and services.
About Bell
Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is
Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced
broadband wireless, TV, Internet, media and business communications
services throughout the country. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better
today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic
prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest
environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This includes
the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental
health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell
Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and
access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout
the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media Inquiries:
Caroline Audet
514 391-9794
caroline.audet@bell.ca
@Bell_News
SOURCE Bell Canada