Telus challenges Shaw Cable in Vancouver

Telus is going after incumbent cable operator Shaw Communications by spending $70 million on upgrades to its Vancouver Island wired network to launch high definition digital TV.

Telus expects that about 98 percent of the households in Victoria, Vancouver, will have access to its new TV service by year end thanks to more than 450 kilometers of cable the company is laying in Greater Victoria. Microsoft Mediaroom software controls the TV service which includes a DVR that can record and play back on up to six TVs throughout a residence.

Telus has been in a building frenzy of late. The telecom upgraded its network in Campbell River last year and already has service running in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. "We're in a super high-growth phase," understated Josh Blair, executive VP of human resources.

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