KELOWNA — Rogers Communications is investing $16.5 million to enhance wireless service in the Kelowna area of B.C., which will provide new coverage and more reliable connectivity for Rogers and Fido customers, the company announced Wednesday.
Rogers’ network investment includes the construction of new towers and major upgrades to existing cell sites, to be completed by early 2020, the company said in a news release. Furthermore, the network enhancements will lay the foundation for the rollout of 5G in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, including in Central City, South Pandosy-KLO, Leathead, Glenrosa Road and Lakeview Heights, Rogers said.
The investment also includes premium 600 MHz spectrum that Rogers purchased in the federal government’s spectrum auction earlier this year. Rogers said this spectrum is critical to the deployment of 5G, which will enable future-ready technologies for Okanagan residents and businesses in the near future.
“Our customers want high-quality wireless services wherever they are, from the Winter Street Market in downtown Kelowna, to skating with their family on Shannon Lake, or launching a new tech start-up,” said Rick Sellers, president of the B.C. Region, Rogers Communications, in the news release. “These investments not only connect customers across Kelowna, West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation to the moments that matter most, they also prepare our network for tomorrow.”
This most recent investment builds on prior Rogers network enhancements across the Okanagan, plus a previously reported B.C. customer solution centre coming to the Landmark District of Kelowna in the summer of 2020. This new centre will provide 350 high-quality jobs, which will grow to 500 over time, Rogers previously said.
As part of its network investment announcement, Rogers also said it is supporting the community of Kelowna through investments in the local library and as a presenting sponsor of the Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market, taking place on December 1. A $25,000 Ted Rogers Community Grant to the Okanagan Regional Library will help to support the creation of a larger, dedicated Teen Zone that will be designed and equipped to suit the needs of teens in the community, Rogers said.
