HALIFAX: Cell coverage continues to be an issue in rural communities.
On March 7, Cape Breton-Richmond MLA Alana Paon brought up the topic of cell coverage in her riding, particularly the areas of Forchu, Framboise, Grand River, and Dundee. Paon said she’s received a number of letters from business owners in the area about the issue and asked Minister of Business Geoff MacLellan if he believes reliable cell coverage is critical to operating a modern business.
“Obviously, the cell phone service and having that coverage is part of the broadband conversation and all the Connecting Canadians budgetary allotments that are coming from the federal government and, of course, in conjunction with the heavy investment that we’ll make as a province,” stated MacLellan. “There’s no doubt about it, I’ll tell the honourable member and her constituents. We’ve got to do better at coverage for cell phones not only for, of course, the growth of our economy, and allowing rural areas to drum up business and build business but it’s important for safety and security. We will continue to make those investments and we do appreciate the question.”
Paon said the provincial budget was set for release on March 13, noting she hopes there will be funds available to address the cell issues in her riding.
“They are very longstanding issues that we have been trying to push forward for quite some time,” she said. “Considering that the providers are of course private businesses, [the companies] have to have an incentive to put cell phone towers up in areas where perhaps the population base is not as high as in other areas.”
While urban centres may be covered, Paon said people can’t be sure they will have cell coverage from one moment to the next in some rural areas.
“When you have businesses that are trying to exist, trying to thrive, in areas within Cape Breton-Richmond and across Cape Breton, it’s very difficult to thrive and even to just manage your business on a daily basis when you don’t have access to cell phone coverage,” said Paon. “Cell phone service and broadband service have become essential services that are really needed for not only residents in the area but also businesses that are trying to make a living in the area.”