Bell Aliant connects more Northern Ontario Communities with FibreOP

Customers in Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt to have access to the fastest Internet and best TV experience available

TEMISKAMING SHORES, ON, Oct. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant Inc. (TSX: BA) is expanding FibreOP^TM to more communities in Northern Ontario. Today, the company announced a $2.5 million investment to bring its fibre-to-the home (FTTH) network to 5,000 premises in Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt. FibreOP connects directly to a customer's home offering lightning fast Internet upload and download speeds, the best digital TV experience in the market, and home phone service you can count on.

"FibreOP is designed to give customers a superior TV and Internet experience today while providing them with limitless potential for the future," said Andre LeBlanc, Vice President, Residential Markets at Bell Aliant. "We're extremely pleased to add Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt to the growing list of Northern Ontario communities that now have access to this powerful technology."

Since 2012, Bell Aliant has invested approximately $68.5 million to bring FibreOP to 120,000 homes in Northern Ontario including Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay. Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt are part of Bell Aliant's operating territory but are served under the NorthernTel brand. FibreOP will be marketed as "NorthernTel FibreOP."

"It's exciting that FibreOP is coming to Temiskaming Shores," said Carman Kidd, Mayor of Temiskaming Shores. "The opportunities are endless and it's a welcome enhancement to our community."

"Cobalt does sell itself as an historic town, but we like to be current with our infrastructure," said Tina Sartoretto, Mayor of Cobalt. "With FibreOP we are jumping ahead of others when it comes to having access to enhanced telecommunications services."

As Internet use continues to evolve, more people are using several devices at the same time. FibreOP can easily handle multiple  connected devices, large data files and streaming video with Internet download speeds of up to 250 Mbps, and upload speeds as high as 30 Mbps.

FibreOP also delivers the best TV experience with more than 100 HD channels, the best Whole Home PVR, and amazing apps like Facebook^TM, Twitter^TM, Galaxie Music, the Weather Network App and the FibreOP Beam app. With a FibreOP bundle, customers save on the best of everything.

• FibreOP advantage: A direct fibre-to-the-home connection offers the fastest Internet in the market with limitless potential to increase speeds in the future - currently with download/upload speeds of up to 250/30 Mbps.
• Leading the way: Bell Aliant was the first to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home and was recognized for North American innovation and leadership in FTTH deployment with the FTTXcellence Award.
• Reaching more communities: FibreOP is available in more than 725,000 homes and businesses in more than 60 communities across Atlantic Canada and Ontario.
• There's an app for that: Bell Aliant was the first to introduce social TV apps to its superior TV offering along with over 100 HD channels and the best Whole Home HD PVR. FibreOP 's suite of apps includes Facebook, Twitter, the Weather Network App, Galaxie and the Beam App for FibreOP TV.

In Ontario, Bell Aliant's FibreOP network is already available to customers in Greater Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Timmins. Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt customers can pre-register for FibreOP service at www.fibreop.ca, or call 1-866-FIBREOP (1-866-342-7367) to be notified when service is available in their area.

About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP services. Through its operating entities, it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the highest quality customer service, choice and convenience.

SOURCE: Bell Aliant Inc.

Norma Hughes
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