We sometimes take for granted just how much 4G LTE coverage we enjoy here in the U.S. We complain if we drop an occasional call when we are driving and we get outraged in the very few spots we cannot get any service – I am talking about residential areas, not high in the Colorado Rockies where you would expect service to be sparse. We simply assume we will get mobile service inside our office building, just as when we take our next breath, air will be available. Many places in Canada struggle to get reception, especially LTE service, and more so that wonderful 700MHz spectrum that can penetrate buildings , elevators and even the basements of those structures.
Rogers, Canada’s largest network, is planning to lend a helping hand to British Columbia over the next three years with an additional investment of $450 million to expand its network in over 70 communities in the Northeast, Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Part of this expansion will include the highly coveted 700MHz spectrum and when all of this is completed Rogers will have invested $2 billion in it B.C. network. In B.C. over sixty-four per cent of residents own a smartphone and use it on average 1.7 hours per day to check email (77%), search online (69%) and stream video (33%).
Phil Lind, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, regulatory, Rogers Communications said: “We believe in the growth and future of B.C. and are investing in the province and local communities. Today’s commitment to further enhance our network infrastructure will give British Columbians reliable and consistent access to the latest technology across the province.”
Premier Christy Clark said: “The majority of British Columbians use a smartphone at work, school, or at home – and demand is rising fast. This investment means more British Columbians, in more parts of the province, will have more and better wireless internet access, which will allow them to stay connected to news, opportunities, and each other.”
British Columbia has a growing economy that includes 385,900 small business that are relying on these network improvements for them to continue their growth, not to mention the much needed infrastructure that new businesses look for if they are deciding to expand into B.C. This will help their citizens that rely on having reliable access to emergency services across the entire province, including along highways and in more remote locations. Police, fire, hospitals and ambulances are all relying more and more on that mobile ‘lifeline’ to help them do their jobs. Another key region to benefit from the expansion will be the Northeast where the largest number of self-employed British Columbians live.
Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us know if Rogers’ expansion into British Columbia will affect you…as always, we would love to hear from you.