Spotty cell service gets $150M fix with Rogers public-private deal

Spotty cell service and ‘dead zones’ in Prince Edward County and other eastern Ontario areas is to be filled in with a $150 million deal with Rogers Communications.

The Eastern Ontario Regional Network has named Rogers as its partner the goal to fix the gap in wireless service to 113 municipalities and Indigenous communities.

Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson says he is excited by today’s announcement.

“It shows why EORN’s approach is so successful. We are getting substantially more in private sector investment that anticipated. Our residents and businesses across the County of Prince Edward will soon be able to connect wherever they live, work or travel. This is a key building block for our future and is major step forward for us all.”

The public-private work on the 5G network infrastructure of more than 300 new cellular towers and upgrades to another 300-plus towers is to begin in spring 2021 and is expected to continue through 2025. The federal and provincial governments are each investing $71 million to the project, with a $10 million contribution from the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus ad Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus.

Rogers expects it will bring 99 per cent mobile voice calling service, 95 per cent service for standard video, typical app use and video calling to Eastern Ontario’s residents and businesses. It is expected 85 per cent of the region’s demand area will have access to high-definition services that allow HD video streaming.

Rogers expects consistent and reliable voice call coverage on 11,000 kilometres of major roadways, including Highway 401.

Joe Natale, President and CEO of Rogers Communications, in a media release states the company is thrilled to be chosen for the project which has the potential to create more than 3,000 new jobs.

He also notes a safety aspect as the new service will improve accesibility for public and emergecy services.