The Ontario Government have committed 71 million dollars to improving cell service across Eastern Ontario.
Eastern Ontario Regional Network have proposed a public-private partnership of $213 million to improve the reach and quality of service in the region. According to EORN the project would create 3,000 jobs over a period of ten years, while producing $420 million in new business earnings.
Chair of the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus Robin Jones says funding for the project has been their number one priority. According to the EOWC the gaps in coverage occur because those areas don’t generate enough revenue for carriers to build suitable infrastructure. EORN say they are also asking the federal government and private sector for funding.
Jones says the demand for mobile data is growing at a rapid rate and the region lacks the infrastructure to keep up. EORN are a non-profit created by the EOWC.