Bell Aliant invests $2 Million to expand FibreOP service along Nova Scotia's South Shore

Chester and Mahone Bay FTTH expansion brings company's FibreOP™ investment in the province to more than $125M with almost 330,000 premises passed

HALIFAX, Aug. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant Inc. (TSX: BA) is extending its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network to 3,500 homes and businesses in Chester and Mahone Bay, two historic villages along Nova Scotia's South Shore.  The expansion also includes Chester Basin and parts of the Western Shore. Customers in Mahone Bay will be able to sign up for the service on August 30^th and Chester will be available at the end of September.

Bell Aliant is the only company in Atlantic Canada that delivers a dedicated fibre-optic line directly into each home and business, powering an unparalleled online and TV experience. Since 2010, the company has invested more than $125 million in Nova Scotia to make its FibreOP technology available to almost 330,000 homes and businesses.

"We are excited to bring the power of FibreOP to more communities in Nova Scotia as we continue to move towards our goal of covering one million premises with our FTTH network," said Andre LeBlanc, Vice President, Residential Markets, Bell Aliant. "The response to FibreOP has been very positive and we can't wait to deliver the fastest Internet and best TV experience to the people in Chester and Mahone Bay."

"Bell Aliant's commitment to bring its world-class FTTH network to communities large and small in Nova Scotia is very exciting," said Joseph Feeney, Mayor of Mahone Bay. "Having this type of technology in our community will allow us to attract new investments and better compete in the global marketplace."

FibreOP is now available to clients in almost every corner of Nova Scotia. Customers in the Annapolis Valley, Halifax, Chezzecook, Mount Uniacke, Truro, New Glasgow, Sydney, Bridgewater, Digby, Antigonish, Yarmouth, Lunenburg, Amherst, Spinghill and Port Hawkesbury are already enjoying the fastest Internet on the market and stunning TV quality with more than 150 HD channels, social apps for TV, wireless TV capability and more.

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, and with a FibreOP bundle, customers save on the best of everything.

• Leading the way: With virtually unlimited bandwidth, FibreOP is the best network for today's busy households. FibreOP is HD Verified and ranked number one in Atlantic Canada in Netflix Canadian speeds rankings. 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 even more communities: FibreOP is available to more than 879,000 homes and businesses in more than 85 communities across Atlantic Canada and Ontario. We've also recently announced we're bringing FibreOP to seven communities in Quebec. And we`re not done yet. Bell Aliant is on target to reach one million premises passed by the end of 2014.
• There's an app for that: Bell Aliant also offers social TV apps with its superior TV offering along with more than 150 HD channels and incredible PVR. FibreOP's suite of apps includes the brand new FibreOP Remote App, TMN GO, Facebook, Twitter, the Weather Network App and Galaxie.

Customers in Mahone Bay and Chester can check availability now and arrange for installation by visiting www.bellaliant.net/FibreOP, or by calling 1-866-FIBREOP (1-866-342-7367). Customers in Chester can pre-register for fall installation by calling 1-866-FIBREOP (1-866-342-7367).

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.

Christine Manore, Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs, Toll-free: [phone], [email protected], [email protected]