Frequently Asked Questions

How much will this cost the City of Beaumont?

The City is not required to pay anything for the construction and ongoing operation of the network. 

As part of the Request for Proposals, the City was looking for a proponent we could collaborate with to bring new technologies to Beaumont to better deliver services to the community. The proponent is committing significant financial resources to support similar projects in the province and is looking for willing partners. Beaumont’s size, its location and the City’s willingness to embrace innovative ideas make it an ideal location for one of the first projects in Canada.

Like any business, the proponent does expect to make a return on its investment. Once the network is built, it will receive revenue from fees charged to internet service providers.

Will this mean my yard and the city streets have to be ripped up to install the fibre optic nework?

Disruption to city streets and property can be kept to a minimum using directional drilling and working within public property, which is located near the sidewalk in the front of your yard. As required, remediation is included to restore the property to its original condition and minimize the impact for residents.

When will fibre optic be installed in my neighbourhood? 

Installation began fall 2022 in neighbourhoods located in the west side of Beaumont. As construction progresses, you will see construction signage and door hangers showing up in your community. This will be dependent on weather, supply chains, and other factors.         

What is 10 gigabit? What are the benefits of it?

Ten gigabits, or 10-gig, refers to the amount of data that can be transferred per second – in this case, 10 gigabits per second capacity for uploading or downloading content through the internet.

Residents can expect faster, more reliable internet service once the network is completed, though the actual speed you’ll experience will depend on factors such as your computer or device, your modem or router, and your internet service provider.

It looks like we can only get 1-gigabit service. The City advertised it as 10-gig. Tell me why.  

Wi-Fi equipment available at this time can support up to 1 gigabit of internet. Technology is improving rapidly and it is likely we’ll see equipment that can support faster speeds in the near future – possibly within the next two years.

By building a network with 10-gigabit capacity, internet in Beaumont is being future-proofed with service that can scale up as Wi-Fi technology advances and cellphones, TVs, streaming services, gaming and other devices require more bandwidth.

How much internet does 1-gigabit get you? Is it enough for my household?

1-gigabit internet provides 1,000 Megabits per second (Mbps) of bandwidth, which is enough capacity for most households. For example, Netflix requires 25 Mbps of bandwidth per device when you stream in 4K. If four people are streaming simultaneously, the total bandwidth used is 100 Mbps. Apple TV+ requires the same, but other streaming services may be less. You could have several people streaming in 4K at the same time and still have sufficient bandwidth for gaming, videoconferencing, and work-from-home activities.

Once the fibre optic network is completed, residents can expect faster, more reliable internet service than any network they’ve experienced before. The actual speed you’ll experience will depend on factors such as your computer or device, your modem or router, and your internet service provider. It is safe to say that in most households in Beaumont, 1-gigabit will give you an amazing experience that will satisfy all your internet requirements for your home.

Will there be higher speeds for commercial customers? 

The commercial sales team at Primus will explore what each commercial customer needs. Custom packages are available for businesses that need speeds higher than 1 Gbps, custom packages are available. Sign up for updates from Primus to learn more.

What if I need more than 1-gigabit at my home? 

The Wi-Fi equipment available at this time can provide up to 1 gigabit of internet bandwidth within the household. However, technology in this area is improving rapidly and it is likely that we’ll see equipment that will support multi-gigabit in the near future - maybe even 18-24 months away. As the technology evolves internet service providers, like Primus, will be increasing the available speeds of their services.

Some parts of Beaumont already have one-gigabit per second service. What's the difference?

Currently, not all residents or businesses have access to fibre optic internet. It is important to the City to ensure a reliable, high-speed network is widely available. 

Internet is vital to attract and retain growing businesses – the quality of it matters. 10-gig internet speed will eventually be the standard all over the world. In an economy where location matters less than it did even a year ago, it will be the quality of services that attract high-impact companies and inform people’s choices about where they’re going to live. 

As well, with more people operating home-based businesses or working from home, a reliable, high-speed network is critical.  

What are the benefits to Beaumont?

The project has several potential benefits:

• Increased speed and reliability of internet services in the community, including to residents, businesses and schools
• More choice of internet service providers and range of services
• Support economic growth and jobs by attracting tech and knowledge-based businesses

When can I get service from the network?

Construction began in October 2022 and will continue through the 2023 construction season. For neighbourhoods where construction began in 2022, services will become available early in the New Year. All other neighbourhoods will be connected as construction progresses in 2023. 

Sign up for updates from Primus to learn more. 

Will I be able to keep my current internet service provider?

Absolutely. The intent for this project is to bring another service option to residents. Existing internet service providers, like Telus and Shaw, will still be providing service as usual. The benefit is that residents will have choice in service providers as a result of building the open-access network.

How much will internet service cost from the new network?

Pricing information will be available starting in January 2023. Sign up for updates from Primus to learn more. 

Do I have a choice if I don't want to be connected to the network?

Yes. The broadband initiative provides another option for residents and businesses, should they choose to use it. Whether you choose to sign up with the internet service provider is entirely your decision.