Powell River is connecting with the Telus fibre-optic network but there was a disconnect from the corporation in announcing it.
At the Thursday, December 18, City of Powell River Council meeting, Mayor Dave Formosa said he had an exciting Christmas present for city residents.
“The City of Powell River will be receiving fibre optics,” he said. Formosa announced that Telus is currently working on installation at the corner of Alberni Street and Joyce Avenue.
In announcing Powell River as part of the high-speed communications network, Formosa said the city worked hard to become a pilot project for Telus, to be one of the first communities to have fibre-optic connections at each house and business within the city. It will then be up to home or business owners whether they want to connect and pay Telus for the service.
“It only enhances our community and our economic development initiative,” Formosa said. “It’s a big deal. It’s a big investment. We’ve been chasing this for a couple of years. There’s been rumours out there about it and we couldn’t say anything because it was in camera.”
The mayor had asked Telus to make the fibre optic announcement at his October 18 economic development news conference. Telus refused, stating the announcement would be done jointly at a later date.
Formosa said he resigned himself to that prospect and heard the announcement would possibly be made next March.
“Then we saw the trucks out here working and I spoke to Mac Fraser [chief administrative officer] who said [Telus] were doing maintenance. He went downstairs and talked to Tor Birtig [director of infrastructure] who said they were getting preliminary work done for fibre optics.”
Birtig told the mayor the announcement was expected at a later date, as agreed with Telus.
“Then I get an email from a citizen telling me my name is on a letter from Telus asking people if they want to join the network,” Formosa said. “We did agree for them to spend $1.5 million and that we would work with them because we wanted to be one of the communities that got fibre optics to move our community forward.
“Council was under strict rules under the contract to not announce this.”
Formosa said if his name is on a letter, the information could be released. “Fibre optics are in Powell River and I’m announcing it now.”
The announcement was greeted with applause from the gallery.
“It was a tough negotiation but it’s done and I hope people, business and industry can use it,” Formosa said.
