Shaw 2014 Annual Report Download - page 13

Shaw Communications Inc.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
August 31, 2014
services available through Shaw Go, including Global Go, HISTORY Go, CTV Go and various
childrens, sports, movie and other entertainment programming. In 2014, Shaw also launched
its Gateway Go app, which allows customers to search, record and manage shows on their
Gateway whole home HDPVR from a range of popular mobile devices.
Internet
Leveraging its cable television infrastructure, Shaw provides high-speed Internet access services
to residential and business subscribers in almost all of its operating areas. The Company
currently offers a wide variety of residential Internet service levels to match the data speed,
usage and budget requirements of its subscribers. Similar to its residential Internet service,
Shaw also offers a variety of Internet services for small and medium business customers. As at
August 31, 2014, there were over 1.9 million subscribers to Shaw’s Internet access services.
In providing its Internet access services, Shaw leverages DOCSIS 3.0, a data over cable
technology, which has enabled the Company to increase the capabilities and reliability of its
network by increasing the capacity and throughput of both the upstream and downstream
portions of Shaw’s co-axial cable infrastructure. Upgrades and enhancements of its capital
infrastructure are ongoing, improving the capacity and reliability of the Company’s Internet
backbone and decreasing the average node size to reduce network congestion.
During 2014, Shaw continued the build out of its managed carrier-grade WiFi network, Shaw
Go WiFi, which extends a customer’s broadband experience beyond their home. The service was
launched in 2012 on a trial basis in select cities, and is now available in most areas served by
Shaw. In addition in 2014, Shaw reached agreements with a number of cities to expand Shaw
Go WiFi service to public areas within those cities. WiFi is in virtually all portable consumer
communication devices and customers are actively seeking WiFi hotspots to reduce wireless
data costs and improve their wireless broadband experience.
Shaw operates two internal Internet data centres in Calgary, Alberta and several smaller regional
centres. The data centres allow the Company to manage its Internet services exclusively,
providing e-mail service directly to its customers using “@shaw.ca” e-mail addresses,
provisioning web space, and managing backbone connectivity and peering arrangements with
other telecom providers. The data centres also host Shaw customers’ most popular web content
locally.
During 2014 the Company continued construction of a new internal data centre in Calgary that
will allow it to stay ahead of the technology curve by being able to handle new innovations as
they are adopted, such as the WiFi network initiative or new IP video technologies. The new
data centre will incorporate energy efficient cooling systems allowing Shaw to reduce the
environmental impact of this facility. The data centre is planned to be complete in fiscal 2015.
Digital Phone
Shaw Digital Phone, a reliable, fully featured and affordable residential telephone service, is
currently offered in approximately 95% of homes passed. As at August 31, 2014, Shaw had
over 1.3 million Digital Phone lines (primary and secondary lines on billing).
Shaw Digital Phone offers packages tailored to meet the needs of residential subscribers with
varying levels of included long distance and calling features. Similar to the residential
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