TORONTO – The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) is calling for a public-private partnership to improve the reach and quality of cellular data services in Eastern Ontario.
The $213 million plan, pitched Monday to Ontario Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal, also includes a dedicated, public safety broadband network to seamlessly connect first responders region-wide. EORN says that building both networks together would cost about $299 million, saving about $47 million compared to building them separately.
"Too often, Eastern Ontarians find themselves with no signal or dropped cell services”, said EORN chair J. Murray Jones, in a statement. “EORN is building on the investment we've already made in fibre optics across the region to close the gap in cell services and improve economic growth, quality of life and public safety."
According to an engineering study commissioned by EORN, about one quarter of the region cannot access any cellular services, and, depending on the cell carrier, another 28% to 40% of the area has inadequate capacity to provide high quality mobile broadband service, despite growing demand.
EORN blames the gaps in cellular coverage on “market failure”, claiming that rural areas don't generate enough revenue for cell carriers to build adequate services. It also said that cellular dead zones are standing in the way of the region's economic growth and public safety.
“The CRTC recently designated both mobile and fixed broadband as basic services for all Canadians”, continues the statement. “A public-private partnership would reduce carriers' infrastructure costs, creating a stronger business case to improve services and meet the CRTC's basic services goals.”
EORN, a non-profit created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC), works with governments and community organizations to improve and leverage broadband access to fuel economic development and growth across the region. The EOWC directed EORN to prepare and submit a project proposal to improve access to mobile broadband services and support the creation of a public safety broadband network.
