Rogers Communications has been awarded the contract to improve the coverage and capacity of cellular networks in the Eastern Ontario region through the Eastern Ontario Regional Network's (EORN) Cell Gap Project.
Described as the largest wireless public-private partnership in Canadian history, the total investment in this project is worth roughly $300 million. Rogers commits to invest more than $150 million, while the federal and provincial governments each contributed $71 million. In addition, $10 million came from the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus and most municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus.
Rogers was selected through a competitive bidding process of identifying a qualified telecommunication partner that can offer the expertise and best value for expanded cell coverage. Furthermore, the project aims to provide 99 percent of the area with voice calling services; at least 95 percent of the area with standard-definition (SD) level services, such as video-app calls, basic app usage, and streaming of SD video; and at least 85 percent of the area with service levels that can support streaming high-definition video and more data-intensive apps.
To better serve rural Eastern Ontario residents and businesses, the EORN project expansion will involve the construction of more than 300 new telecommunication sites. Over the next four to five years, it will upgrade to more than 300 existing sites.
As projected, the project is to be completed in 2025. “We’re putting in more infrastructure, closing all the coverage gaps that exist, and boosting the capacity in the network,” said Jim Pine, a member of the EORN team and the chief administrative officer of Hastings County.
In general, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has designated both mobile and fixed broadband as basic services for all Canadians.
