- Rogers Communications (RCI.B) announced that the company is expanding its wireless network in B.C.
- The expansion includes 5G, in an effort to provide reliable connectivity along Highways 16 and 14
- The company says the more reliable connectivity will also have the effect of improving safety
- British Columbia’s Highway 16 is known as the Highway of Tears
- Class B shares of Rogers Communications are up 0.89 per cent on the day, and trading at C$60.05 at 3:05 pm ET
Rogers Communications (RCI.B) announced that the company is expanding its wireless network in B.C.
The work includes a notorious stretch of B.C. highway.
The expansion includes 5G, in an effort to provide reliable connectivity along Highways 16 and 14 in Canada’s western-most province.
The company says the more reliable connectivity will also have the effect of improving safety in the region, pointing to the ability to make a call from a highway in the event of a car breaking down or to connect to Wi-Fi at a local rest stop.
“It is understood that this is not a nice-to-have, it’s a need-to-have, and no more so than along Highway 16,” said a company news release.
British Columbia’s Highway 16 is known as the Highway of Tears because of the number of women, many of whom are Indigenous, that have gone missing or have been found murdered along this stretch of highway.
Rogers will build 12 new towers to close key gaps along Highway 16, between Prince Rupert and Prince George, including three provincial highway rest stops. The company will also construct seven new towers along Highway 14 from Sooke to Port Renfrew, including Wi-Fi coverage at the Sombrio Rest Area.
“Rogers is proud to be investing in British Columbia to build critically needed 5G networks to bridge the digital divide, including across rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. With these investments announced today, in collaboration with the B.C. Government and the Government of Canada, Rogers is providing improved safety and reliable connectivity for those who depend on Highways 16 and 14, while creating new jobs and supporting the economy of B.C.,” said President, Connected Home and Rogers for Business Dean Prevost.
For Highway 16, Rogers, alongside 5G partner Ericsson, will build 12 new cellular towers to close key gaps and provide additional cellular coverage between Prince Rupert and Prince George, providing essential connectivity to those who use this Highway every day. This project will provide 252kms of new highway cellular coverage closing key gaps that remain along the corridor.
Class B shares of Rogers Communications are up 0.89 per cent on the day, and trading at C$60.05 at 3:05 pm ET.
