The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) and Rogers Communications announced that Rogers 5G mobile services are now available in 31 more communities across eastern Ontario. Since October 1, 2024, 63 new cell towers and an additional upgrade to an existing site are completed, and now offer Rogers 5G mobile services to residents, businesses and visitors.
Rogers 5G mobile services are now available in many parts of our region with new service available in:
City of Kawartha Lakes Prince Edward County
City of Kingston County of Renfrew
County of Frontenac United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
County of Haliburton United Counties of Prescott and Russell
County of Hastings Muskoka
County of Lanark Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
County of Lennox and Addington Curve Lake First Nation
County of Peterborough Hiawatha First Nation
Today's announcement is part of the EORN Cell Gap Project, a $300-million public-private partnership aimed at enhancing and expanding cellular services in rural eastern Ontario. The project has received approximately $152 million in funding, including $71 million from the Ontario government, $71 million from the federal government, and $10 million combined from municipal members of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) and most of the Eastern Ontario Mayors' Caucus (EOMC). Rogers Communications, chosen through a competitive bidding process, will contribute the remaining investment.
The EORN Cell Gap Project is a wireless expansion project boosting public safety and improving navigation on rural roads. Through this project, Rogers Communications is constructing around 332 new cell towers, which include both newly built and co-located sites shared with other providers. 195 new towers are now offering services in the region. Additionally, all upgrades to 311 existing sites in the project have been completed with state-of-the-art 5G equipment delivering essential services to more municipalities, Indigenous communities and visitors across eastern Ontario.
"Connecting all Canadians to reliable, high-speed cellular services improves safety and makes our communities more attractive for investment," said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. "With additional 5G services now available in communities across Eastern Ontario, we are delivering on our commitment to build strong Canadian infrastructure and expand connectivity for rural and remote communities."
"I would like to congratulate the hard-working teams at the Eastern Ontario Regional Network and Rogers Communications on the successful completion of sixty-three new 5G cellular towers," said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries. "In today's digital world, fast, reliable 5G mobile service will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of residents, businesses and visitors in eastern Ontario."
"Expanding reliable connectivity across eastern Ontario is a critical step in bridging the digital divide," said Jennifer Murphy, Chair of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network. "With these 63 additional new towers now online, more residents, businesses, and visitors have access to fast, reliable mobile service, improving safety, economic opportunities, and overall quality of life."
"We are proud to bring 5G services to more residents and businesses in Eastern Ontario communities, working with our government partners and the Eastern Ontario Regional Network," said Mark Kennedy, Chief Technology Officer, Rogers. "With 195 new towers and all 311 tower upgrades completed, more people in the region now have access to the largest and most reliable 5G network in Canada."