The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) and Rogers announced Thursday the completion of the EORN Cell Gap Project.
The $300-million public-private partnership aimed to bring 5G services across eastern Ontario. Rogers, which was selected as the telecom through a competitive bidding process, built 346 new wireless sites and upgraded 311 existing sites with 5G equipment.
The project targeted 99 per cent voice call coverage, 95 per cent standard definition coverage, and 85 per cent high-definition coverage “in the demand areas where people live, work and travel on major roadways across the municipalities of the Eastern Ontairo Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) and the participating cities and towns of the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC),” a press release said.
Rogers contributed $150 million, Ontario and the federal government each contributed $71 million, and the municipal members of the EOWC and participating members of the EOMC collectively contributed $10 million.
“The Cell Gap Project represents one of the most significant investments in rural wireless infrastructure in Ontario’s history,” Jennifer Murphy, chair of EORN, said in the release. “What began as a vision to close cellular coverage gaps across eastern Ontario is now a reality for the people who live, work, travel and do business here. This project is about more than towers and technology, it’s about improving public safety, supporting economic growth and ensuring our communities are better connected for generations to come.”
Photo via Rogers
