PETERBOROUGH, ON, June 3, 2024
/CNW/ - The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), the Government
of Canada, the Government of
Ontario, and Rogers Communications
announced today that Rogers 5G mobile services are now available in
21 communities across Eastern
Ontario. Forty-two new cell towers and four additional
upgrades to existing sites are completed, and now offer Rogers 5G
mobile services to residents, businesses and visitors.
Rogers 5G mobile services are now available in parts of the
following areas:
City of Kawartha Lake
County of Frontenac
County of Haliburton,
County of Hastings
County of Lanark
County of Lennox and Addington
County of Northumberland
County of Peterborough
County of Prince Edward
County of Renfrew
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
United Counties of Prescott and
Russell
United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
City of Kingston
Town of Gananoque
Alderville First Nation
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
Curve Lake First Nation
Hiawatha First Nation
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
Mohawks of Akwesasne
Today's announcement is part of the EORN Cell Gap Project, a
$300-million public-private
partnership to improve and expand cellular services across rural
Eastern Ontario. About half the
project is co-funded by federal and provincial governments, as well
as municipal members of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC)
and most of the Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus (EOMC). Rogers
Communications, which was selected through a competitive bidding
process, is providing the balance of the investment.
Through this partnership, Rogers Communications is building
approximately 332 new telecommunications cell towers consisting
of newly built and co-located sites, which are sites shared
with other providers. In addition, 312 existing sites will be
upgraded – bringing vital infrastructure to more municipalities and
Indigenous communities in Eastern
Ontario. To date, 309 sites have already been upgraded and
100 new cell towers have been completed. Rogers Communications, in
conjunction with our community partners, is working to accelerate
tower construction, with ongoing plans for several new towers.
The wireless expansion project is enhancing public safety and
improving navigation capabilities along rural and remote
roadways.
"High-speed, reliable, and affordable cellular services are
essential for Canadians to succeed today," said the Honourable Sean
Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. "We
are proud to support this project, and I am incredibly excited
about today's milestone with even more Ontarians now able to access
enhanced broadband services and all the benefits that come with
it."
"Our government is continuing to make progress to deliver
reliable cellular services for families, businesses and residents
across eastern Ontario" said the
Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario's
Minister of Infrastructure. "By investing in EORN's Cell Gap
project and working closely with our municipal partners we are
getting shovels in the ground faster to build stronger, safer, more
connected and resilient communities for everyone."
"By working together, the federal, provincial and municipal
governments along with our private sector partner, Rogers
Communications, are bringing access to improved cell services to
our residents, businesses and to those that travel in our region",
said EORN Interim Chair Jennifer
Murphy. "Reliable cell service is critical for public safety
and will aid economic development in our communities."
"Together with our government partners and the Eastern Ontario
Regional Network, we are proud to bring 5G service to residents and
businesses in more Eastern Ontario
communities," said Phil Hartling,
President, Wireless, Rogers. "We are making long-term investments
to keep Canadians connected, including now with Rogers 5G Home
Internet, delivering home internet service over the largest and
most reliable 5G network in Canada."
About EORN
Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) strives to fuel economic
development and growth by working regionally to improve and
leverage broadband access and cell connectivity. EORN is a
non-profit organization created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens'
Caucus (EOWC). Since 2010, it has helped bring hundreds of millions
of dollars in federal, provincial and private sector investment to
improve connectivity across the rural region.
As part of its Cell Gap Project, EORN is working with Indigenous
communities to ensure that new cell infrastructure is built with
respect for Indigenous treaty rights and heritage. Based on input
from several First Nations, EORN has committed to exceeding
industry practice, and is conducting archaeological assessments on
most new tower sites.
From 2010 to 2014, EORN helped to enhance broadband access for
nearly 90 per cent of eastern Ontario through a $175
million public-private partnership. The network was funded
by federal, provincial, and municipal governments and private
sector service providers. By the end of the project, 423,000 homes
and businesses were able to access services of up to 10 Mbps
download. It also spurred an additional $100
million of private sector investment in the region beyond
initial commitments.
About Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers is Canada's leading
wireless, cable and media company that provides connectivity and
entertainment to Canadian consumers and businesses across the
country. Rogers shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE: RCI). For more information, please visit: rogers.com or
investors.rogers.com.
SOURCE Eastern Ontario Regional Network