Highway of Tears now has improved access to cell service
Three new towers were placed along Highway 16 by Rogers Communications, as part of the Universal Broadband Funding project
As a commitment to truth and reconciliation, Rogers Communications has placed three towers along Highway 16.
Highway 16 is known colloquially as the Highway of Tears, due to the high number of Indigenous women and girls reported missing from the highway. Highway 16 is also notorious for cellular dead zones. The federal and provincial governments are now investing in initiatives to bring complete connectivity to the area.
“Working with Indigenous communities and government partners, Rogers is honoured to be part of this generational project to increase safety on the Highway of Tears for travellers and residents, and honour survivors, victims and their families,” said Rogers Communications in a press release.
One tower is located at Seeley Lake Park, which is servicing 13 km of new wireless coverage. The other two towers are between the Seven Sisters Mountain and Pacific Coast, which are servicing 37 km of new wireless coverage
“Once all the project’s towers are completed, Rogers will provide 252 km of new cellular coverage along Highway 16, closing gaps to ensure continuous coverage along the entire 720 km corridor [between Prince George and Prince Rupert),” explained Rogers.
Government funding for this initiative is part of the Universal Broadband Fund, which supports increasing mobile connectivity to Indigenous communities through a $50-million federal investment.
“It has been deeply rewarding watching this project unfold, and we look forward to celebrating its completion and benefiting from the social and economic advantages it provides,” said Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls activist Mary Teegee.
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