Shaw 2015 Annual Report Download - page 18

Shaw Communications Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
August 31, 2015
In 2013 we substantially completed a major upgrade of our co-axial access network to remove analog tier television services.
This upgrade liberated bandwidth to significantly increase the capacity of our hybrid fibre-coax network and enabled the
expansion of our broadband Internet and other offerings. Digital video terminals were deployed into customer homes that
allowed them to receive digital television services in place of former analog services. We referred to this reclamation initiative as
the Digital Network Upgrade (“DNU”).
In 2014 and 2015, we removed the remaining analog basic services in the Vancouver area, our largest market, in an initiative
referred to as “DNU II”. As a result, customers in this region only receive digital video services. A similar process to remove
remaining analog basic services in our other major markets will begin in 2016.
Shaw continues to optimize the capacity and efficiency of our network and reduce congestion by deploying fibre optic cable
deeper into our access networks and closer to our customers. We are also increasing the number of optical serving areas or
“nodes” in the network. This is a continual process that we apply year-over-year to increase fibre optic usage in our network and
reduce the distance signals travel over coaxial cable to each consumer.
In addition to the initiatives above, our network roadmap in 2016 includes the roll out of the latest version of the Data over
Cable Service Interface Specification or “DOCSIS 3.1” which will provide significant added capacity in our hybrid fibre-coax
network and lay the groundwork for further speed increases for our broadband customers. DOCSIS 3.1 represents the latest
development in a set of technologies that increase the capability of a hybrid fibrecoax network to transmit data both to and from
customer premises.
With the various DNU initiatives, the deployment of fibre closer to our customers, by continuing to increase the number of
nodes in our hybrid fibre-coax network and by implementing DOCSIS 3.1 technologies we will continue to significantly improve
the performance and capacity of our network for years to come.
Shaw Go WiFi
In 2011 we began deploying WiFi access points to create Canada’s most extensive managed carrier-
grade WiFi network, Shaw Go WiFi, as a wireless extension of our access network into the
community. Shaw Go WiFi extends a customer’s broadband experience beyond the home as a
valuable extension of our customer network experience as an alternative to relying on mobile
service.
We continue to expand our Shaw Go WiFi build-out. To date, we have over 73,000 Shaw Go WiFi
access points installed and operating throughout the network and over two million unique active
devices using Shaw Go WiFi. In addition, we have entered into agreements with 90 municipalities
to extend Shaw Go WiFi service into public areas within those cities.
Community Investment
Shaw has a proud and lengthy track record of supporting causes and charities that focus on the health and strength of Canadian
communities. For decades, we have been recognized as a philanthropic leader in our communities, providing support to
hundreds of small and large organizations.
In fiscal 2015, Shaw contributed approximately $60 million in cash and in-kind support to charitable and community
organizations working to make our neighbourhoods and cities better. We also took steps in 2015 to focus our governance,
discipline and awareness of our community contributions, reflecting the increased value our stakeholders place on community
investment activities when making decisions about doing business with organizations.
16 Shaw Communications Inc. 2015 Annual Report