Motorists on the Trans Labrador Highway will have a
more reliable emergency phone service thanks to an $85,000 investment by
the Provincial Government.
The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of
Transportation and Works, announced today that Maryland-based Iridium
Satellite will supply 40 new satellite phones and Newfound Mobility
Solutions of St. John�s is the new service provider.
"We are confident that the Iridium phones will provide
a more reliable and consistent performance, which is very important as
it is the only means of communication on a long, desolate stretch of
highway," said Minister Taylor.
Iridium indicates that their satellite phones are
engineered to withstand the world�s toughest environments and are the
ultimate in dependable mobile communications.
"Today's announcement of improved emergency phone
service along the Trans Labrador Highway is welcome news for all of
Labrador," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador
Affairs. "Improving transportation and communications are commitments
under the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador, and this investment is
necessary to address the needs of travellers who depend on reliable
emergency phone service for safe travel."
The phones will be pre-programmed to enable calls to
be directed to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), which will
coordinate appropriate emergency response through either the RNC or
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Department of Transportation and
Works expects to have the phones available to the public within the next
two weeks and they will be distributed through the continued assistance
of local hotel operators.
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