Montréal, August 19, 2009 – Saguenay will be the first Eastern city in the province to benefit from Videotron's Ultimate Speed Internet 30TM and Ultimate Speed Internet 50TM services. As of today, approximately 70,000 households and businesses will have access to 30 Mbps and 50 Mbps Internet services, the fastest in Québec. Customers can check the availability of these services in their locality at videotron.com/ultimate.
The deployment of the DOCSIS® 3.0 state-of-the-art technology makes it possible for us to provide such a service that meets the expanding needs of modern households and families where several people share a single Internet connection, said Manon Brouillette, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Marketing. This advanced technology supports the growth of businesses and communities, and helps them enhance their economic competitiveness.
The answer to the needs of connected families and households
Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50 are ideal for households where several people use the Internet simultaneously for different purposes. A family can shop online, import a video clip from a website and play online video games at the same time over a single Internet connection.
Unparalleled download speeds
The power of Ultimate Speed Internet 30 makes it possible for users to download a 6 MB audio track in 2 seconds and with Ultimate Speed Internet 50, download a complete album containing ten 6 MG tracks in 10 seconds. Videotron reminds its customers of the importance of legally acquiring the music and films they download with the added speed of Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50.
Competitive rates
Videotron is offering customers download capacities of 70 GB and 100 GB for residential subscribers to Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50 respectively; 150 GB and 200 GB for business subscribers to Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50. Residential Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50 cost $64.95 and $79.95 per month respectively, with a 12-month commitment. For a limited time, new customers who sign up for one year will get the first month free. For business customers, Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50 cost $119.95 and $149.95 per month, with a 12-month commitment. New business customers get three months free plus free installation with a 36-month commitment.
An economic driver
A study of broadband services in Canada released in December 2008 by the Seaboard Group under the title Don't You Wish Your Internet Was Hot Like Laval's? praises Videotron's Ultimate Speed Internet services. The study notes that very high speed Internet access will be a key factor in regional economic vitality, education services and the promotion of culture.
This move is part of a series of business development initiatives and investments by Videotron across Québec, said Manon Brouillette. To meet the demand created by the introduction of new products such as Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50, and its new Advanced Wireless Services network, Videotron is creating 500 jobs in Québec in 2009 and recently announced an investment of more than $34 million in Joliette.
A speed for every need
Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50 are being added to Videotron's line of residential and business Internet services, which also includes Basic Internet, High-Speed Internet and Extreme High-Speed Internet.
Towns served as of today
More than 1.2 million Québec families and businesses in more than 120 municipalities – located in Laval, Montréal South Shore, West Island and outskirts of Montréal - now have access to the fastest Internet technology in the province.
Videotron Ltd. (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access services, cable telephony and wireless telephone service. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico interactive television system and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of June 30, 2009, Videotron was serving 1,732,621 cable television customers in Québec, including 990,308 illico Digital TV subscribers. Videotron is the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,109,900 subscribers to its cable modem service as of June 30, 2009. As of the same date, Videotron had activated 73,483 lines on its wireless telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 934,837 Québec households and organizations. For the fourth consecutive year, Videotron has been named Québec's most respected telecommunications company by Commerce magazine, based on a Léger Marketing survey.
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Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and 50 are registered trademarks of Videotron Ltd.
DOCSIS® is a registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories Inc.
