Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Cell phone coverage across Lennox and Addington County is expected to rise to 95 per cent following a provincial investment of $71 million to expand and improve wireless broadband infrastructure across Eastern Ontario.
Hastings, Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp was joined by Ontario infrastructure minister Monte McNaughton in Roseneath on May 17 to announce the investment. This will mark the second phase in funding for the area to increase broadband coverage.
“When I was first involved in EORN (Eastern Ontario Regional Network) as an MP a few years back there were those who told us the terrain was too rugged for modern communications,” said Kramp. “We proved them wrong then, and now this second phase will complete the coverage. I pay tribute to all the wardens, mayors, CAOs and others in the eastern counties and municipalities who worked on this.”
EORN was founded 10 years ago to help address large gaps in both the reach and capacity of mobile broadband networks. Over the last decade the EORN has successfully improved broadband access by nearly 90 per cent through funding from federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as private sector service providers.
Last year L&A County committed $450,000 of their share towards a $10 million contribution to be made by Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus municipalities. With the province funding one third of the total $213 million initiative, EORN will seek federal funding as well as private sector funding to make up the balance. The private mobile carriers will be selected through a competitive bidding process.
“It’s exciting for homeowners,” said L&A County chief administrative officer Brenda Orchard. “What they did was map every road, every house, every property to make sure it’s in the catchment area. I know a lot of people said ‘ok they’re going to cover 95 per cent of the area’ but the five per cent not covered is empty crown land. As long as they’re paying taxes we can capture the fact their dwelling is there, they’ll get coverage.”
To achieve the increase coverage the county will be installing more cell towers across the region. As a 5G, the network will require cell towers to be placed within close proximity of each other.
“Some people may not be happy with the location of the cell towers, but that’s part of the progress and part of the requirement to get coverage,” said Orchard.
According to a release from Kramp’s office, the improved cell coverage is expected to generate 3,000 jobs over 10 years and potential revenues of $420 million.
“The improvement of broadband infrastructure is crucial for our rural communities to thrive,” said L&A County warden Eric Smith. “Whether it be at home, work or on the road, improving mobile broadband service is critically important to community safety, job creation and economic growth in Lennox and Addington County.”