TelMAX has begun building a new fibre network set to reach most neighbourhoods in Newmarket.
Construction is underway for the new utility provider to expand its services throughout town. It notified residents that work could be visible, including spray paint markings and flags, and installation of conduits through drilling.
TelMAX CEO Stuart Roberts said it would be one of Newmarket's largest infrastructure projects but would be built with care.
“We pride ourselves in being very careful about the way we construct and about not disturbing people,” he said, “because we want people to become our customers.”
TelMAX purchased the previously town-owned utility, ENVI, in the fall, taking on the 30 kilometres of existing fibre and 200 existing customers. The company, founded in Durham Region, plans to expand that to most neighbourhoods in Newmarket with private investment.
Construction will be ongoing in neighbourhoods of 200 to 300 people, requiring town permission, Roberts said. Once the town grants that, construction will be four to six weeks within a given neighbourhood, with a notice getting sent out to residents. After the network arrives in a neighbourhood, residents can call in to get their home serviced by telMAX, which offers fibre internet, plus television and phone.
The company website assured it will restore all areas to meet municipal standards after construction. It also said any telecommunications line damage done during the process will be fixed for free by service providers.
But Roberts said the only damage they did while installing a network throughout Whitchurch-Stouffville was to three sprinkler systems, which they fixed.
“We want people to be able to identify with telMAX as part of Newmarket,” he said. “If we come in and do a lot of damage, then that’s not good for us.”
Roberts would not disclose the exact scale of the upcoming network or how long it will take to complete, citing concern with giving the business competition an advantage by revealing that.
But he said he is encouraged by the early interest the company has received from local residents.
“We’re making a good decision to invest in Newmarket.”
You can find more information about the process at telmax.com/construction. Residents can send inquiries about construction to [email protected].
