Need For Cell Service in the 250

By 250 News

Telus lockout or not, there is a serious call for improved cell service on Highways 97 and 16.  That was the message given to Telus Rep Larry Parker at the Fraser Fort George regional District  meeting.

Mackenzie’s Mayor Tom Briggs says with the number of vehicles traveling up and down 97 between his community and Prince George, particularly in the winter, cell service needs to be there. 

Parker, admits, auto-tel was better than cell service in this region, but there was no money in the service. “The best thing we can do now, is put repeaters on the tower sites we have” says Parker. But even for him, getting information from Telus planners is, in Parker’s words, "like  pulling teeth” , but he admits, there are plans for rebroadcast expansion on Morfee Mtn, to improve service from Mackenzie to the Mackenzie junction. 

The other sites where service is to be improved are:

Summit Mountain, for better service in the Summit Lake, Bear Lake areas

Fraser Mountain: for improved service to Fort Fraser, Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof.

Endako and Murry Ridge for improved service to Fort St. James.

As for land lines to Penny. Don’t hold your breath. The latest information Parker could find was in a file dated two years ago, and at that time, it was indicated the cost was too high . “My understanding” says Parker “was that it would need a contribution of $36,000.00 per customer for that to happen” 

Despite the current labour problems, Parker says they are keeping the current service running, he adds, “unfortunately there is no end in site to the labour dispute.”

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