Vanessa Craig © 2022 HA Photography
NANAIMO – The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) announced an agreement with TELUS Communications Inc. and Rogers Communications has been reached to provide land at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (GNPCC) for the installation of a cellular tower.
The new tower, if it proceeds, would improve cellular coverage at the GNPCC and within the broader community. The installation and operation of the tower would have no tax implications for residents – the cost of the project, including construction and ongoing operation and maintenance of the cellular tower, would be borne by TELUS and Rogers.
“As Canada’s largest and most reliable 5G network provider, we are always looking to expand to connect more Canadians when and where they want. We are proud to partner with the Regional District of Nanaimo on this project to improve wireless coverage in the region,” said Mark Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Wireless Core Engineering, National Network Implementation, Rogers.
The RDN would provide use of the land for the project through this agreement. The designated land is not needed for current or future GNPCC use, and the tower would not interfere with daily operations or employee activities.
“We are excited to partner with TELUS and Rogers to bring reliable cellular service to the Hammond Bay area in Nanaimo. Many people use mobile phones for both personal and professional communications, making access to cellular coverage essential for both day-to-day living and emergencies. We are pleased that the project for this much-needed service is moving to the public consultation phase,” said Vanessa Craig, Chair, Regional District of Nanaimo
The public and land use authority consultation process is anticipated to occur this fall and will culminate with a request for land use concurrence from City of Nanaimo Council. TELUS will inform the community how and when the public consultation will happen once the process begins in September.
“Working in close collaboration with the Regional District of Nanaimo, TELUS looks forward to bringing enhanced wireless service to the Hammond Bay area. These partnerships allow TELUS to prioritize investments in communities needing critical cellular coverage, and once the new tower is built, the improved network capacity will enable us to stay ahead of the demand for connectivity as the population grows,” said Tony Buu, Director Technology Strategy, TELUS.
Source: RD