A project to expand cellular network coverage across eastern Ontario is nearing completion.
During Tuesday’s meeting of Hastings County Finance, Property and Personnel Committee, the committee received a presentation from the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, showing off their progress on the Eastern Ontario Cell Gap project. Hastings County had previously invested $509,573 towards the over-$300-million project.
Across the province, the goal of the program is to have basic cellular phone and text service over 99% of the populated area of the province, with basic cellular data available over 95%, and high-definition cellular data over 85%. So far, they have achieved 98.6% coverage for talk and text service, 97.2% for basic data, and 93.8% for high definition data.
The plan to expand network coverage across the province included several new cellular towers across Hastings County. A total of 30 new builds, 20 upgrades, and 15 co-locations were planned to expand area cell service. All of the upgrades have been completed, along with 28 of 30 new builds and 14 of 15 co-locations. Remaining installations are set to be completed in August.
When the program began in 2021, high-definition coverage was available across 53.8% of Hastings County. Now, high-definition coverage reaches 90% of the county.
