Shaw Launches Canada's Fastest Inter City Fibre-Optic Network

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Shaw communications announced the next generation of Canada's fastest Internet, with the launch of the nation's first 100 Gigabit per second (Gbit/s) fibre-optic network.

The network, delivered by Alcatel-Lucent, has the capability of carrying up to eighty-eight 100 Gbit/s channels over a single pair of fibres. The result is a game-changing network able to handle up to 133 million voice calls, 440,000 HDTV channels, or transmit 44 Blu-ray Discs in one second. 

"People are demanding more from their Internet experience, and as a leader in Broadband Internet, Shaw continues to upgrade to bring Canadians the best Internet experience," said Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications Inc. "The launch of this fibre-optic network allows us to lay the foundation in delivering a new Internet experience for our customers."

The technology delivers services at a rate of 100 Gbit/s – 10 times faster than Shaw's existing fibre-optic network. The launch follows a field trial over a 350-kilometre network between Calgary and Edmonton. Enhancements to the fibre-optic network will benefit both residential and business customers by providing new services, speed and reliability that is part of the Shaw Internet experience.

Shaw was also the first provider in Canada to trial Gigabit Internet in April 2010, delivered through Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and will be able to support new and emerging Internet applications that require faster download speeds over the new fibre-optic network.

For more information please visit SHAW.CA.

About Shaw Communications Inc.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 18 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

SOURCE Shaw Communications Inc.