A Rogers project aimed at expanding cell service along Highway 3 in British Columbia has been cancelled, according to the provincial government.
In an emailed obtained by iPhone in Canada, on July 22, the B.C. Ministry of Citizens’ Services confirmed that Rogers will no longer move forward with the project, which was supposed to bring new cell towers to a 92-kilometre stretch between Hope and Keremeos.
The province said Rogers did apply for and receive funding through Connecting Communities BC to improve cellular service along HWY 3, with an anticipated completion date for the project of 2024.
The province explained due to challenges Rogers faced with identifying and planning for the cellular sites along this mountainous roadway, inflationary costs of infrastructure development during that time, and fiscal constraints within the telecommunications industry, Rogers was not able to move ahead with this project.
The $9.7 million project was first announced in March 2022 and was meant to add 11 new cell towers in an area with major coverage gaps. At the time, the province committed up to $3.1 million through the Connecting British Columbia grant program, administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Although the project has been shelved, the government says cellular access along Highway 3 remains a concern.
“Improving cellular service to improve safety and security along roadways remains a priority for the Province,” said a client relations coordinator with the ministry’s Connectivity Division. “While a new project for the area has not been identified, it remains a key roadway where improved service is acknowledged to be needed.”
Highway 3 runs through mountainous terrain prone to natural disasters like landslides and flooding. Coverage gaps are particularly common between Hope and Manning Park, and between Princeton and Keremeos.
The province says it still has a Cellular Expansion Fund in place to support future infrastructure efforts from other providers.
For now, with Rogers signed onto SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell, which is also available for non-Rogers customers, that may give connectivity for those in need and with supported devices.
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Starlink. (When it's working.) And providing they don't suffer meteor or Kessler event.😮
Telus is about the best option for Alberta and BC. Just don't settle for any old offer of theirs; wait until black Friday to sign a 2 year contract.
Rogers doesn't have the coverage of Telus in BC and Alberta. Never has and never will
Technically incorrect.
Rogers now has 100% coverage in every province and still partial coverage in the territories. However, it is limited to texting for now.
where I live in Northern Ontario we have very poor service except in town. You can hit massive deadzones less than 5 minutes in any direction.
i just hopped on the free trial of the starlink service through Rogers and I will be happy to pay the monthly fee for it once the free trial is over. The ability to reach anyone outside of radio range is a huge deal if anything were to happen. Especially in the winter
Look to the north when you say 100%. The Shadow line is barely north of Edmonton in the west. Lots of N.Alta, N BC are still wildcards. Local cell provision may still be better in towns north.
Ah yeah looks like the top ~20% of the western provinces and Quebec are not serviced, I thought the cutoff line was in the territories because the coverage is well past the most northern point in Ontario
For most it’s great, but I wouldn’t want to be in Edmonton expecting coverage at the cottage. Great thing overall, but being hijacked/adopted by such a political carrier will hurt as badly as Starling being out current For in American profit centers.
StarlinK.
And Telus is 2nd worst in ONT. Find what works for your region.
Chatr is the best they're reliable affordable and no contract!
Chatr is a Rogers in disguise carrier. Owned and accountable to Rogers stockholders
Try to find a try independent reseller.
Yes I know that Rogers owns them but before I was using it I was with Bell and I have to say that I’m not disappointed with them they have great coverage and they not expensive besides for what they give no company I’m aware of can beat them on price I’m happy with it
Better still find a reasonable cost carrier that won't bind you to 24 months. Buy a phone before thinking they're doing you a favour including one over 24 months. Look for a Telus re-seller in the West, a Rogers reseller in Southern Ontario, and a Bell reseller in QC.
So, did they take any Govt. money, and if so, are they paying it back?
Nope, gov't doesn't pay out in advance.
This article says they received 3 million in government credit (funding) – has that been returned? Were they only give tax credits or actual funds? Why do they not face a penalty for contract non fulfillment? This is total private business greed and hubris as per bloody usual.
Maybe the CRTC shold build this. There is no advatage to any of the big telecom cos investing in infrastructure only to have to give the freeloader "carriers" access