Montréal, July 22, 2021 – Videotron is pleased to announce, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec, that it has been selected under Canada-Québec Operation High-Speed to connect more than 13,300 households to high-speed Internet in Lanaudière and the Laurentians by September 30, 2022.
The homes that will be connected are located in 10 municipalities in the regional county municipalities of Joliette, Matawinie, Argenteuil, Deux-Montagnes and Mirabel. In the coming weeks, Videotron will survey the territory to make sure no address is left unserved.
Today, high-speed Internet is considered an essential service. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for Québec’s rural communities to have access to 21st-century digital infrastructure. After a decades-long wait, almost all outlying communities will have access to the same level of service as is available in the big cities. The projects funded under Canada–Québec Operation High Speed are key to Québec’s digital shift. They will make it easier to access telemedicine, distance education, entertainment, online retail and telework.
A full product line-up and the best customer experience
The newly connected households will be able to subscribe to Helix, Videotron’s new home entertainment and connected lifestyle experience. Its voice remote capabilities, ultra-smart Wi‑Fi and support for home automation will make Helix a welcome addition in many rural Québec households.
In addition, more Quebecers will soon be able to enjoy the best customer experience, at the same price as in the major urban centres. Not only do the households targeted by this project lack access to high-speed Internet, but they are often paying too much for inferior technology. This will end with Videotron’s arrival.
Quotes
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that connecting all Quebecers to high-speed Internet has never been more important. That's why our government is investing to connect households and businesses in the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions by fall 2022. Thanks to the funding announced and our good collaboration with the Government of Quebec, we're increasing the potential for economic growth and helping improve the quality of life of Quebecers in every corner of the province.”
Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and MP for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation
“The pandemic has shown the extent to which the Internet has become essential for telework, distance learning and just staying connected to friends and family. The government is financially supporting the installation of robust infrastructure to make Québec a leader in connectivity.”
Gilles Bélanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier of Québec (high-speed Internet)
“Videotron is very proud to have been chosen to connect homes in the Laurentians and Lanaudière to high-speed Internet on a large scale. We have always been committed to the development of Québec’s rural communities and we will now have a larger presence there than ever. These 1,550 additional households will be able to enjoy the best in telecommunications, with the best service, at the best price.”
Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor
Highlights
- Operation High Speed is a joint initiative by the governments of Canada and Québec to connect 148,000 households that are still without high-speed Internet. Videotron will be responsible for connecting 37,000 of these homes.
- Videotron will build a fibre optic-based new-generation network that supports speeds well above the 50/10 Mbps required by the government.
- Local residents will have access to Helix, Videotron’s new home entertainment and connected lifestyle experience.
- See the full list of municipalities that will be served by Videotron.
- The new connections include the households that are being connected under the Régions branchées project. Videotron will begin work immediately and the project will be completed by September 30, 2022.
If you live in a currently underserved community and have questions, visit our website to follow the project’s progress.
About Videotron
Videotron, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in television, entertainment, Internet access, wireline telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its Helix home entertainment and management platform. As of March 31, 2021, Videotron was serving 1,459,100 cable television customers and 477,900 subscribers to its Club illico video streaming service. Videotron is also the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,807,400 subscribers as of March 31, 2021. As of the same date, Videotron had 1,503,200 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing wireline telephone service to 897,700 Québec households and organizations. Videotron has ranked as Québec’s most respected telecommunications company every year for the past 16 years.
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Media contacts:
Merick Séguin
Public Relations Advisor, Corporate Affairs
Videotron
medias@videotron.com
438-889-3220
Marie-Pier Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
Marie-Pier.Baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca
613-295-8123
Alexandra Roy
Political Attaché
Office of the Premier
819-212-0459
