Canadian communications giant Rogers has announced plans to bring cell service to Hwy. 4, but UclueletB次元官网网址檚 mayor isnB次元官网网址檛 hitting the celebration button just yet.
B次元官网网址淲e are reaching out to Rogers to understand what this announcement actually means so we can digest it fully. The announcement sounds wonderful, but I think we need to understand how Rogers sees this rolling out and how this affects non-Rogers users,B次元官网网址� mayor Mayco Noel told the Westerly B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of unknowns. I donB次元官网网址檛 want to be a buzz joy here, I think itB次元官网网址檚 a great win for us. I just like to understand the small print of this announcement.B次元官网网址�
The company announced on Monday that it expects to construct six new cellular towers and upgrade two existing towers to provide cell service along the highway, which is currently a dead zone for connectivity.
B次元官网网址淲e are proud to continue to invest and build in B.C., constructing highway connectivity projects and building critically needed networks to bridge the digital divideB次元官网网址� said RogersB次元官网网址� chief technology officer Jorge Fernandes. B次元官网网址淗ighway 4 is a vital route and this project will provide 85 kilometres of new service and resolve spotty coverage, improving safety and reliable connectivity as soon as possible for all who depend on it for commercial transportation, tourism and travelling to and from their homes.B次元官网网址�
Mid Island B次元官网网址� Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne had lobbied hard for cell service on Hwy. 4 during her tenure as TofinoB次元官网网址檚 mayor and said RogersB次元官网网址� project will enhance safety for commuters.
B次元官网网址淔or people travelling between Tofino and Port Alberni, whether theyB次元官网网址檙e locals, people visiting family, or those here to enjoy the beauty of the West Coast, Highway 4 can be a cause for concern,B次元官网网址� Osborne said. B次元官网网址淥ur government is hard at work making safety improvements to the highway and increasing cellular coverage along the same stretch means people will be even safer. I want to thank Rogers for doing this work and improving service for everyone on our coast.B次元官网网址�
The project is part of a partnership between Rogers and the provincial government through the Connecting British Columbia Program.
B次元官网网址淭his is a critical route for people travelling for work, for commercial truck drivers carrying goods and for people on holiday, and safety is of the utmost importance,B次元官网网址� said Minister of CitizensB次元官网网址� Services Lisa Beare. B次元官网网址淭his cellular connection will significantly boost safety for people travelling this routeB次元官网网址攅specially at night and during bad weather events.B次元官网网址�
Noel said the announcement came as a B次元官网网址渃omplete surpriseB次元官网网址� to UclueletB次元官网网址檚 council and questioned why the pending project was kept a secret from local governments.
B次元官网网址淔or me, I shrug my shoulders and ask, B次元官网网址楴o one could have reached out and done some engagement?B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 glad that itB次元官网网址檚 happening, I just find it a little bit strange that, to my knowledge, local governments on the West Coast had not been approached,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥ur table was not made privy to this whatsoever prior to the announcement.B次元官网网址�
He noted most West Coast residents are Telus Communications customers as Rogers does not currently have strong services around Tofino and Ucluelet and added that his trepidation about the announcement is partly fuelled by his experience with Rogers at Sproat Lake.
B次元官网网址淭hat infrastructure, which is a bit of an eyesore at Sproat Lake, only benefits those that are Rogers users. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 benefit the entire region unless you are a subscriber,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l see. Maybe this will actually motivate Telus a little bit now. If youB次元官网网址檙e a betting man, IB次元官网网址檓 going to assume this is going to motivate Telus because theyB次元官网网址檙e probably feeling they may have missed the mark on this one.B次元官网网址�
In an email to the Westerly B次元官网网址, RogersB次元官网网址� vice president of access networks for Western Canada clarified, B次元官网网址淭he solution will provide wireless services for Rogers existing customers and visitors who choose to roam on Rogers.B次元官网网址�
During its Jan. 25 regular meeting, UclueletB次元官网网址檚 municipal council reviewed a letter from Telus explaining that the company is planning to submit an application for funding assistance from the Connecting BC Program to provide improved wireless internet service along Hwy. 4.
B次元官网网址淣ow more than ever, we understand the impact that improved connectivity makes on the thousands of British Columbians and Indigenous people living in BC and now working, learning and receiving healthcare from home,B次元官网网址� the letter reads, in part. B次元官网网址淢ore notably, coverage on major highways ensures we protect the health and safety of all those that regularly travel across the region to live, work and visit the beautiful communities and region.B次元官网网址�
The letter asked council to provide a letter of support for TelusB次元官网网址� application to the province.
Coun. Lara Kemps said she found the timing of the request interesting due to the Rogers announcement, but added she was happy to support TelusB次元官网网址� pursuits.
Council unanimously agreed to provide a letter of support to Telus.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 still important to support Telus, because weB次元官网网址檝e been begging them for years,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Marilyn McEwen.
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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