Listen Live
HomeNewsPrescott Commits to Supporting Cell Mobility Project

Prescott Commits to Supporting Cell Mobility Project

Prescott Council committed to financially supporting Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s (EORN) mobile cellphone project. The project is looking to improve the existing cellular networks in Eastern Ontario.

The commitment would be between around $26,000 and $39,500 depending on how many other partners commit to the project. The partners EORN is asking to help include: the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus, the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC), Canada, Ontario and mobile carriers.

Jim Pine is Co-Lead on the project and says he believes the amount Prescott will end up giving would be on the lower end that is estimated ($26,232).

Pine says with this project they want to see people connect to mobile broadband cellular networks in Eastern Ontario, whether they’re travelling in their vehicles, living in their home or running a business.

- Advertisement -

Pine adds wherever there’s a gap in coverage, and you can not get connected on a network, they want the project to close the gap.

Lisa Severson is the Communications/Stakeholder Relations Officer for EORN and adds the project will also help with capacity. The example she uses is when people are all trying to use their cell phones during the midget AA tournament in Prescott. When a larger amount of people are trying to use the cell network it can cause problems like not being able to send or receive a text message. The project will address capacity issues like that.

Severson says to close the gap they would be building infrastructures.

Severson adds the majority of the money that will be coming from the municipalities, like Prescott, will be going toward the infrastructure.

In a presentation to Council on Monday night, this graph was shown as it laid out the EOMC contributions that were calculated.

(Photo Credit: From EORN Presentation to Town of Prescott)

Pine and Severson say the money won’t be needed until 2019 because they will need to get final agreements from the Federal Government.

Prescott will also have to decide if they want to make a one time payment or annual payments. If everything goes to plan, Severson says they would like to begin building no later than 2020.

They are anticipating a four year build for the entire infrastructure. Pine and Severson note if a tower was put up and everything was signed off in working order, there would be better coverage immediately even when the rest of the build might still be in progress.

The EORN presentation also said this project will grow the economy in the region and create over 3,000 jobs.

 

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading