The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced the Provincial Government’s first project to address gaps and deficiencies in cellular service infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Through a cost-shared agreement with St. Anthony Basin Resources Incorporated (SABRI) and Bell Canada, the Provincial Government is contributing $361,914 to provide cellular service to communities on the northern tip of the Great Northern Peninsula. This non-repayable contribution represents 25 per cent of funding for the total project, which is estimated to cost $1,447,655.
This funding will see the placement of a new 80-metre Long-Term Evolution (LTE) tower in Raleigh, located at Ha Ha Mountain, and a new SimpleCell pole in St. Lunaire-Griquet. The installation will improve and expand the mobile network coverage and bring High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and LTE mobile technologies to approximately 4,000 residents from St. Anthony Airport to Goose Cove East.
On April 30, as part of Budget 2018 and through the Regional Development Fund, the Provincial Government issued a call for proposals that would invest $1 million in a new cost-shared cellular service pilot program, contributing up to a maximum of 25 per cent of project costs towards cellular coverage infrastructure upgrades. The remaining 75 per cent will be provided by the service provider, municipalities, private ventures and/or regional government partnerships. The final submission date for proposals is October 1, 2018, or until funds are fully committed.
SABRI is a dynamic and long-standing social enterprise that has existed in the St. Anthony region since 1997. The mandate of this not-for-profit organization is to expand the region’s economic base and improve the employment opportunities in harmony with a rural setting and lifestyle.
Support for innovation and technology delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Modern telecommunications services are fundamental to economic prosperity, social development and global competitiveness. Today’s announcement will greatly benefit residents, communities and the overall economic development of the Great Northern Peninsula. It supports innovative partnerships with SABRI and Bell Canada, and delivers on commitments from The Way Forward. As the MHA for the area, I commend SABRI and Bell for their work to establish cell service for the residents in St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows, and for providing a valuable service to 16 communities which will make it safer for residents and travellers to the area.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“SABRI is very pleased to partner with TCII and Bell Aliant on the Cellular Service Pilot Initiative to provide cellular service within in our region as an economic development enabler and contributor to improving the viability of those communities.”
Sam Elliott
Executive Director, St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.
“As the largest investor in communications infrastructure in Atlantic Canada, Bell is pleased to partner with SABRI and the Provincial Government to expand wireless technology to this region which will provide economic benefits and opportunities for the residents and businesses of these communities.”
Glen LeBlanc
Vice Chair Atlantic, Bell
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Learn more
Cellular Service Pilot Initiative Call for Proposals – www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/pdf/cellproj.pdf
St. Anthony Basin Resources Incorporated – sabrinl.com
Bell Aliant – aliant.bell.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL
Media contact
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Sam Elliott
St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.
709-454-3484, 454-7016<
s.elliott@nf.aibn.com
Isabelle Boulet
Bell Canada
506-457-5554, 506-478-7823