Eastern Ontario municipal officials will get an update on the cellular project at a meeting on June 24.
Earlier this spring, Rogers Communications was chosen to undertake the project that will upgrade the service in the area completely by 2025.
Hastings County CAO Jim Pine tells Quinte News the meeting will cover the status of the project, where it’s at, what they can anticipate in terms of the project, its new towers, and the upgrading of existing towers.
Pine says the Eastern Ontario Regional Network has been discussing the project with Indigenous communities about any concerns they might have.
“As part of the work of the project we need to, and of course want to, work with and speak with our First Nations neighbours. Communities like the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte…About the project, any suggestions and concerns they might have, any comments that those communities might have, as we work through the project. It’s an important part of what we have to do and want to do, to make sure that we hear from the Indigenous communities and leadership in those communities as we work to execute the project.”
“Environmental impacts, you know, a new tower might create. There’s always, you know, concerns about their traditional rights. The idea is to expand the cellular service to benefit communities, businesses and other services.”
He added, “If it’s a 911 situation, so we want to close all those areas where there’s no coverage or gaps in coverage and then boost the capacity of the cell network so that you can do more than just make a call. You can download files and stream live video.
“That might be really important if you’re in an ambulance heading for hospital and you need to communicate with the hospital in real time. So for emergency responders having a robust cellular network where you can connect wherever you’re travelling in Eastern Ontario, we think is a huge benefit.”
Pine says upgrading of some towers has already begun, and all towers have to be in place by 2025 for the project to qualify for the provincial and federal funding.
