Caucus answers call to improve cell service

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) has taken the first step toward improving cellular services.

The caucus has commissioned the Eastern Ontario Regional Network to undertake a detailed “gap” analysis of coverage throughout the region.

“Reliable cellular coverage is essential for residents, visitors and businesses, and critical for emergency services,” said PEC mayor Peter Mertens. “Acknowledging the gap in cellular service is an important first step toward modernizing communications and provision of key emergency services for the County of Prince Edward.”

In addition to working toward providing access to high speed internet services to more than 450,000 homes and businesses in the region through the EORN project, the members report they regularly hear from constituents about the lack of adequate cell coverage in many parts of the region.

The EOWC has decided that it needs to take the lead to determine if a project that would include senior levels of government and the telecom industry can be created and implemented as soon as possible.

“Every day our members receive comments and questions about the lack of cell coverage,” said Rick Phillips, EOWC Chair. “Our residents are telling us that with the ongoing success of the EORN project we need to take the challenge of making access to affordable cell services a reality across the region. We know that this won’t be easy but we are taking a key first step by commissioning the gap analysis,” added Phillips.