The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, today announced the Provincial Government’s second project to expand wireless coverage in unserved and underserved communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Through a cost-shared agreement with Réseau de Développement Economique et d’Employabilité de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (RDEE TNL), and Bell Canada, the Provincial Government is contributing $115,266 to provide cellular service to communities on the Port au Port Peninsula. This non-repayable contribution represents 25 per cent of funding for the total project, which is estimated to cost $461,062.
This funding will assist with the deployment of a new Long-Term Evolution (LTE) SimpleCell on a new 25 metre pole between the communities of Mainland and Three Rock Cove. The installation of the SimpleCell technology will provide high power low band signals resulting in a larger coverage footprint. LTE will be deployed at 700MHz allowing for greater reach in rural areas and greater building penetration. LTE technology is the fastest and most advanced wireless technology available.
RDEE TNL is Newfoundland and Labrador’s Francophone Economic Development Network. This non-profit organization aims to contribute to the economic prosperity of the Francophone communities of the province through activities in the areas of employability, entrepreneurship, economic immigration, tourism, the Hello Bonjour program and through community capacity-building.
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, co-operatives, social enterprises and/or regional government partnerships. The final submission date for proposals is October 1, 2018 or until funds are fully committed.
Support for innovation and technology delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. 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
“Our government continues to deliver on commitments made in The Way Forward, and today’s cellular infrastructure announcement is another indication of that. By improving cell service on the Port au Port peninsula, we are helping to contribute to economic growth and development in the Mainland and Three Rock Cove region. I commend RDEE TNL for their work to see cellular service established in this Francophone area of our province, and I look forward to experiencing the anticipated community development as a result.” Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
“Reliable cellular
coverage has become essential for enabling the people of rural Newfoundland and
Labrador to build for themselves a safe and prosperous future. The residents of
Mainland, Three Rock Cove, and the entire Port au Port Peninsula deserve the
improvements announced today and I’m happy our Government, in partnership with
the Réseau de Développement Economique et d’Employabilité de
Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, has been able to make this happen.”
John Finn
MHA
for Stephenville – Port au Port
“RDÉE TNL is grateful for the partnership
with TCII and Bell Mobility. The Cellular Service Pilot Initiative will allow
for the Francophone communities in Mainland and Three Rock Cove to finally have
access to cellular service which is a crucial element for economic development,
population retention, tourism and general wellbeing.”
Carolina Herrera,
Executive Director, RDEE TNL
“Partnerships are a key component to ensure
that wireless coverage is expanded to even more regions of the province. Bell is
very pleased to be working with Réseau de Développement Economique et
d’Employabilité de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador and the Provincial Government to
support the economic benefits and opportunities that advanced broadband
communications will bring to residents and businesses in communities on the Port
au Port Peninsula.”
Glen LeBlanc
Vice Chair Atlantic, Bell
– 30 –
Learn More
Cellular Service Pilot Initiative Call for Proposals
Reseau de Developpement Economique et d’Employabilite de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL
Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry
and Innovation
709-729-4819,
725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Jeremy Reynolds
Government Members Office
709-729-3394
JeremyReynolds@gov.nl.ca
Carolina Herrera
RDEE TNL
709-726-5974
ed@rdeetnl.ca
Isabelle Boulet
Bell
Canada
506-457-5554,
506-478-7823
Isabelle.Boulet@bellaliant.ca