Today, the CRTC is taking action to improve cellphone service along 70 kilometres of highway in northern British Columbia.
Through its Broadband Fund, the CRTC is providing funding to Rogers Communications to build new cell towers along Highway 37, which will help improve access to emergency services. This project will also have a positive impact on nearby communities—many of which are Indigenous—who will benefit from improved cellphone services in the area.
This project received support from the Chiefs of the Tahltan Band Council and the Iskut Band Council, who described Highway 37 as a vital hub for economic activity. They also noted that better connectivity will bring significant benefits to the region, including in areas such as health, safety, education, social and economic development, and environmental protection.
The CRTC is continuing to assess applications and will make more funding announcements in the coming months.
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“We know how important high-quality communications services are to every aspect of peoples’ daily lives. Today, we are taking action to help improve cellphone services for communities and travellers along Highway 37 in northern B.C.”
– Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC
