Eastlink expands Gig Internet availability to more communities across Canada

    --  Eastlink's continued investment in fibre optic network and advanced
        technologies enables expansion of Gig Internet services
    --  Real-time entertainment and connected home technologies are driving
        exponential Internet growth
    --  Strong technology partnerships coupled with Eastlink's fibre optic
        network enable continued advancement in Eastlink's Internet Experience

HALIFAX, June 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Eastlink has expanded its Gigabit Internet availability to more communities across Canada, as part of the company's continued investment in its core fibre-based Internet service.

"For years, we have been providing Gigabit speeds and higher to our larger business customers through our advanced business network," says Lee Bragg, Eastlink CEO. "With real-time entertainment like video streaming, music, gaming and emerging connected home technologies driving exponential Internet growth, it's time to bring this kind of Internet service to a wider range of customers, including residential customers."

Working hand in hand with technology partners, Cisco Systems and ARRIS, Eastlink invested $20M in its fibre optic network and advanced network technologies to deliver the Internet experience its customers expect today and well into the future.

Jeffrey Maddox, managing director, Service Provider for Cisco Canada, describes Eastlink as a consistent leader in the industry. "Eastlink is one of our most innovative and aggressive partners, when it comes to ensuring they are ahead of the Internet adoption curve," says Mr. Maddox. "Customers want to be aligned with providers that are always thinking ahead. Eastlink's track record speaks for itself; over the past decade, Eastlink has set the pace for Internet performance in urban, suburban and 100's of rural communities across the country."

According to Cisco Systems, it is estimated that there will be over 50 Billion devices connected to the Internet by 2020 as the mega trend of "the Internet of things" continues to take hold.

Eastlink's investment in Internet technologies goes beyond the pipe into people's homes and businesses including Eastlink's connected home and business security and automation solution - Winston. Winston enables customers to control lights, temperature, door locks, alarm monitoring, employee access, image and video capture and more, all from a mobile device.

Eastlink's expansion of Gig Internet, which has been available in certain parts of NS and PEI since 2015, brings the service to the communities of Guysborough (NS), Port Hawksbury (CB), Kirkland Lake (ON), Picton (ON), and Oliver (BC).

About Eastlink: As Canada's largest family owned and operated telecommunications company, Eastlink provides world-class TV, video entertainment and communications services to residential, business and public sector customers across Canada. Powered by state-of-the-art fibre optic and wireless networks, Eastlink's advanced services include High Speed Internet, Wireless, Eastlink Stream, Data, Winston Security and Automation, local and long distance Telephone and exclusive, locally-produced programming on Eastlink TV.

One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for the past 11 years, Eastlink has operations across Canada, and helps raise over $4M annually for charitable and community organizations across the country.

SOURCE Eastlink