A different kind of blue wave hit Bowen Monday as Shaw representatives and trucks flooded the island to sign people up for their new and improved internet service.
The communication company’s submarine fibre optic cable went live earlier this year, and Shaw says it should give island Shaw internet subscribers service comparable to that they would receive on the mainland.
“Our teams on Bowen Island have been working tirelessly over the last year-and-a-half to upgrade our broadband network, and today we’re excited to give residents access to the same fast and reliable internet speeds that residents across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland currently enjoy,” said Shaw president Jay Mehr in a press release Monday.
The cable passes through the island as part of its route from the mainland to Vancouver Island.
Shaw says that islanders will now be able to upgrade their internet plans to access download speeds of up to 600 megabits per second and that current internet plans should see more consistent speeds.
Chethan Lakshman, Shaw’s vice president of external affairs, in an email acknowledged the network issues of Bowen’s past but said that Bowen internet users shouldn’t face any future limitations by virtue of living on the island.
In the Shaw press release, Mayor Gary Ander said that the improved internet is welcome.
“This upgraded service will not only strengthen our local economy and the viability of new business, but also allow existing enterprises to remain competitive and on Bowen,” he said.
Islanders also now have access to Shaw’s recently-launched BlueCurve wifi technology.
Shaw representatives are in front of the Snug all week to answer islanders’ questions.
