Telus has had fiber optic cable in many areas for a long time and use this for their own offices, and important places such as hospitals to provide better health care services.
Telus is in the process of connecting ferry terminals to cable and ferries will use it to enhance their ability to communicate. (wirelessly? never asked)
In recent windstorms, some cables that are above ground were knocked down but not damaged. As far as this installer knew, the fiber optic cables in his area have never been damaged by storms.
Telus is in the process of installing fiber optic cable throughout the province. When TELUS installers first come down your street and ask you to hook up it is free. After that, you have to pay to have the fiber connected directly to your home.
My interjection: what we have seen in other BC communities is that once TELUS brings fiber to the premises, they also install microcells on residential streets.
Somehow I did not get a response to that important question, but he did say that the hospital network is all wired.
“What about our copper landlines?” I asked.
“Keep your landline,” he said, “It is a lifeline. They will want you to switch your phone over to fiber if you sign up for it, but you can keep your copper-wired phone if you ask and it is worth it for an additional $6 or $8 a month. Fiber phones don’t work if the power goes out. You need your landline in emergencies, especially if you have a medical condition.”
2) Having good internet is vital to all communities, but it should be safe, reliable, efficient, fast, and secure. Fiber Optic Cable provides such service. Right now, across Canada and BC, communities are taking control of internet infrastructure, developing and owning their fiber optic internet. This results in local control and economic benefits for the community. A lot of good info about this is on the new website: http://connected-communities.ca/. One important concern to take on such a program is funding — and there is money available to help.
Connecting British Columbia Phase Two Connectivity Infrastructure Stategy Funding
“The current objective of the multi-year Connecting British Columbia program is to accelerate the delivery of high-speed internet connectivity at minimum target speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) down and 10 Mbps up to homes and businesses in rural communities in B.C.
The high cost of infrastructure has been identified by local governments, First Nations, and internet service providers as one of the key barriers to expanding internet services. The Connecting British Columbia program helps pay for infrastructure required to deliver high-speed internet connectivity to rural areas of the province.”
3) A doctor in South Carolina is filing a complaint because she doesn’t believe she should have to pay an opt out fee to NOT have something that could be harmful to her health on her home. In South Carolina people can opt out without charge, keeping their analogs, if a doctor signs a notarized statement saying the person has health issues or is concerned about protecting their health. This doctor says it is impossible to get doctors to provide such statements.
Opting Out On Duke Power Smart Meters
“The complaint that Sams is in the process of filing is targeted at the increase in her monthly bill, the $11.75, to avoid a service she does not want. Through contact with Duke Power she has found that the only way to have the fee waved is to have a notarized statement from a medical physician, which she told council is impossible to get…
Sams made it clear that she likes technology and the progression of science but that she is uncomfortable relying on a service that she does not fully understand. The electromagnetic waves emitted from the Smart Meters come in the form of a concentrated burst. It is that burst of radio waves that Dr. Sams warned the town council and customers of Duke Power against.
“I have no problem with something being installed if I know that it is tested and I know what it is doing,” Sams said. “When you have something that is installed that is affecting you and your environment, you want to know as a consumer what it is being done. I would like as much support as I can from the council to be able to keep my analogue meter.” “
https://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2019/03/26/opting-out-on-duke-power-smart-meters/
Sharon Noble, Director, Coalition to Stop Smart Meters
“Any one who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.” Voltaire
www.facebook.com/Coalitiontostopsmartmeters