$7 million project will be complete by October
VANCOUVER — In partnership with the B.C. government, Rogers Communications announced today it is expanding its 5G wireless network to provide reliable connectivity along Highways 95 and 97, helping to connect communities in Okanagan, Vernon-Kamloops-Cache Creek and the Cariboo regions, as well as southeastern British Columbia.
With the network expansion, Rogers will provide more than 90 kms of new coverage, from Golden to Spillimacheen along Highway 95, and from Pine Pass to Chetwynd along Highway 97, says Rogers’s press release. The company is leveraging financial support from the provincially funded Connecting British Columbia program to complete the projects.
A separate press release from the B.C. government explains Rogers will receive up to $5.47 million in funding toward the estimated $6.4-million cost of bridging the gaps along 68 kms of Highway 97 between Chetwynd and the Highway 39 junction. As part of this project, cellular service will also be made available at the West Pine rest area and Powder King Mountain Resort, says the government’s release.
For the Highway 95 project, Rogers will receive $774,000 in funding to upgrade wireless service along the route, which will also include improved coverage at the Braisher Creek rest area and in the communities of Nicholson, Parson and Harrogate, says the release. The estimated total cost for this project was not disclosed.
According to the B.C. government’s release, the Highways 95 and 97 wireless projects are expected to be completed by October 2021.
Today’s news follows a previous announcement in April that Rogers is expanding its wireless network along two other B.C. routes — Highways 14 and 16 (known as the Highway of Tears) — also leveraging funding from the Connecting British Columbia program.
