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$25-million data centre enables Bell Aliant to offer world class
facilities for New Brunswick business' network and IT infrastructure
needs
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Bell Aliant expands position as leading data centre provider in Atlantic
region
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Province of New Brunswick to contribute $5 million to the project
SAINT JOHN, NB, Feb. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant and the Province of
New Brunswick announced today that a new world-class data centre will
be built in Saint John, N.B. Bell Aliant will build the $25-million
facility, offering data centre capacity to meet current and future
needs of New Brunswick's robust ICT (Information and Communications
Technology) sector.
The Province of New Brunswick will contribute $5 million to the project.
New Brunswick Premier David Alward joined Karen Sheriff, Bell Aliant
president and chief executive officer for the announcement in Saint
John.
"New Brunswick's knowledge economy is growing, and creating new
opportunities for job creation," said Alward. "Our government's
investment in this leading-edge data centre will help New Brunswick
companies attract new investment and create jobs here at home."
The new data centre will be a 24,000-square foot, one megawatt (1MW)
facility, with potential to expand to deliver 4MW. Approximately 50 new
jobs will be created through construction and operation of the centre.
The centre will provide critical infrastructure that will keep
businesses in the province, help them grow and attract new businesses
to New Brunswick.
"Businesses need reliable, secure, scalable data services, and we're
making the necessary infrastructure investments to boost Bell Aliant's
Atlantic Canada data centre offering to meet that need," said Karen
Sheriff, President and CEO of Bell Aliant. "With support from the
Government of New Brunswick we will build one of the most advanced and
innovative data centre facilities in North America - and as the ICT
sector continues to grow, guarantee our capacity to expand and attract
future investment."
Bell Aliant is Atlantic Canada's leading data centre provider with over
30 years' experience serving customers across public and private
sectors, and regional, national and international markets. Bell Aliant
delivers value-added enterprise and professional services, including
capacity management, disaster recovery planning, security, monitoring,
managing and networking services. In the last five years, Bell Aliant
has invested more than $40 million to expand and enhance its data
centre service offering with facilities in Saint John, N.B., Halifax,
N.S. and St. John's, N.L. This includes $14 million invested in its
existing New Brunswick data centre services.
"A facility of this calibre showcases our local infrastructure assets to
potential new business and demonstrates how companies like Bell Aliant
can meet their future needs," said Geoff Flood, co-Chair of the New
Brunswick Research and Innovation Council. "Data management is a
crucial component of the culture of innovation we're fostering in New
Brunswick."
Bell Aliant has been an active player in developing and expanding New
Brunswick`s technology sector. This partnership builds on a strong
shared commitment to foster economic prosperity and innovation in the
region. As part of the agreement, the Province of New Brunswick will
extend its existing voice services agreement with Bell Aliant by one
year with significant savings under the current contract.
About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant Inc. (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional
communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an
entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP™
services. Through its operating entities, it serves customers in six
Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and
technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and
value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the
highest quality customer service, choice and convenience.
SOURCE Bell Aliant Inc.