Comprehensive upgrade Cellular service 5G service is now available in 21 communities across Eastern Ontario, officials announced Wednesday.
this Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) The Cell Gap Project is a $300 million public-private partnership to expand and improve cellular service in Eastern Ontario, covering 100 municipalities and several Indigenous communities.
EORN announced on Wednesday that 42 new Cell phone tower and additional upgrades to four existing sites have now been completed Rogers Communications provides 5G mobile services to 21 communities in the following areas:
- Kawartha Lakes
- Kingston
- Garnock Town
- Curve Lake Aboriginal People
- Hiawatha Natives
- Alderville Aboriginal
- Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
- Mohawks of Akwesasne
- Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
- Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, Prince Edward, Frontenac, Hastings, Lanark, Lennox and Addington, and Renfrew
- The combined counties of Leeds and Grenville, Prescott and Russell and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
The project cost $300 million, half of which was funded jointly by the federal and provincial governments, with an additional $10.1 million coming from the Eastern Ontario Prison Wardens Caucus and most of the Eastern Ontario Mayors Caucus.
Rogers Communications was selected through a competitive bidding process. Providing an additional $150 million 332 cell towers are under construction, including new construction and 75 co-located sites (shared with other providers). Of the 75 sites, 51 have been completed.
Rogers also plans to upgrade 312 existing stations.
EORN said that to date, 309 sites have been upgraded and 100 new cell towers have been completed.
Emails needed on the day
Top news from Canada and around the world.
Before construction on the project began in spring 2021, the province estimated that 10 per cent of Eastern Ontario was considered a “cell phone dead zone” — either due to topography or economic challenges. EORN estimates that 40 per cent of its geographic area lacks access to high-definition service for high-definition video, 10 per cent has no service for voice calls and 20 per cent has no access to standard-definition video.
EORN Stakeholder Relations Manager Heather Wrightly provided an update on the project at Peterborough Shire Council on Wednesday, noting that approximately $27.4 million is being invested in infrastructure across the shire.
So far, Peterborough County has completed 25 tower upgrades and three co-construction towers are now operational. Four of the 25 planned new towers are also now operational. Wrightley noted that a typical tower installation can take 12 to 24 months.
She also said the project started 13 months later than expected, largely because of efforts to ensure the project met requirements for “meaningful” consultation with 18 First Nations communities. She said EORN has held more than 160 meetings and calls with First Nations communities and organizations so far, and has provided training documents to assist EORN and Rogers staff in their field work.
“Consultation will continue throughout the project,” she said.
The goal is to achieve 99% coverage of areas where people live, work and travel, she said.
EORN interim president Jennifer Murphy said the partnership between all levels of government and Rogers Communications will result in better cell phone service for residents, businesses and travelers in the region.
“Reliable cell phone service is critical to public safety and will aid economic development in our communities,” Murphy said.
Ontario Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said in a statement that progress is being made to provide “reliable cellular service” throughout eastern Ontario.
“By investing in EORN’s Cell Gap program and working closely with our municipal partners, we are starting to build faster and creating stronger, safer, more connected and resilient communities for everyone.”
Federal Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Frasher said high-speed, “reliable and affordable” cellular service is “critical” to Canadians’ success.
“We are proud to support this project and I couldn’t be more excited about today’s milestone, with more Ontarians now able to access enhanced broadband service and all the benefits that come with it,” he said.
“We’re making long-term investments to keep Canadians connected, including now with Rogers 5G Home Internet, delivering home internet service over Canada’s largest and most reliable 5G network,” said Phil Hartling, President of Rogers Wireless.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
