MONCTON, NB, May 31 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. today announced an
investment of $109 million in the province of New Brunswick. At the Rogers
Customer Care Centre in Moncton this morning, together with government
officials, Rogers provided details of the investment, which covers an
expansion of the Rogers Moncton Customer Care Centre and the creation of 244
new jobs. It also includes an extension of the Rogers Wireless network and an
upgrade of the Cable network.
"I am pleased that we are able to partner with Rogers as it continues to
expand in New Brunswick," said Premier Shawn Graham. "Today, I am also pleased
to announce that the Government of New Brunswick will provide a forgivable
loan of up to $1,342,000 for up to 244 new jobs at the Rogers Moncton Customer
Care Centre. As we move toward self-sufficiency, it is essential to improve
the telecommunication infrastructure of our province and to partner with
companies that want to expand and invest in New Brunswick."
"This investment is yet another sign of Rogers commitment to New
Brunswick," said Edward Rogers, President, Rogers Cable Inc. "As a leading
Canadian telecommunications company, we will continue to ensure that our
customers in this province receive the most advanced products and services
available. In addition, we are very pleased that we can draw on the skills of
people in Moncton to expand our Customer Care Centre."
The Rogers Moncton Customer Care Centre, which opened in September of
2002, is a state-of-the-art, bilingual facility that already employs more than
800 New Brunswickers and supports Rogers Cable, high speed Internet and
Wireless customers across Canada. The centre will be expanded by 15,000 square
feet and the new jobs will result in more than 1,000 people working there.
As well as the expansion of the Rogers Moncton Customer Care Centre,
Rogers will expand its Wireless network in the Province by over 50%. This
includes increasing existing coverage in all major urban areas and connecting
highways while adding coverage in several areas of New Brunswick, including
Campbellton and the Acadian Peninsula. The Campbellton region, Acadian
Peninsula and the Western side of the province will also benefit from a
significant cable network rebuild, which is now underway.
The investment of $109 million is in addition to the more than
$140 million Rogers has already invested in New Brunswick.
Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RG) is a diversified Canadian
communications and media company engaged in three primary lines of business.
Rogers Wireless is Canada's largest wireless voice and data communications
services provider and the country's only carrier operating on the world
standard GSM technology platform. Rogers Cable and Telecom is Canada's largest
cable television provider offering cable television, high-speed Internet
access, residential telephony services, and video retailing, while its Rogers
Business Solutions division is a national provider of voice communications
services, data networking, and broadband Internet connectivity to small,
medium and large businesses across the country. Rogers Media is Canada's
premier collection of category leading media assets with businesses in radio
and television broadcasting, televised shopping, publishing and sports
entertainment. For further information about the Rogers group of companies,
please visit www.rogers.com.