Provincial Government Partnerships Expand Cellular Service in Pouch Cove

  • Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

December 6, 2018

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced the Provincial Government’s latest project to expand wireless coverage in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Through a cost-shared agreement with the Town of Pouch Cove, in partnership with local business Marine Park, and Bell Canada, the Provincial Government is contributing over $62,000 to provide cellular service to the Marine Park area of Pouch Cove. This non-repayable contribution represents 25 per cent of total funding for the project, which is estimated to cost over $249,000. Bell will contribute over $124,000, with the town and supporting business funding the remaining portion.

This investment enables the deployment of Bell’s LTE (Long Term Evolution) broadband wireless technology throughout the park.

Located in the Town of Pouch Cove, Marine Park is an all-season campground that has developed into a significant tourism attraction in the community, attracting over 4,000 campers and day-users during the peak summer season. This project will assist with emergency services within the community, while helping Marine Park attract and expand their potential customer base on the Northeast Avalon region.

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 was October 1, 2018.

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
“I commend the Town of Pouch Cove for partnering with a local business, Marine Park, and for recognizing the value of economic development partnerships. This cost-shared agreement with Bell will allow Marine Park to offer safety and security to its customers, while enabling better access to future and current visitors. This Way Forward initiative is strengthening our province’s economic foundation, and today’s announcement is another indication of that.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“The Town of Pouch Cove is pleased to partner with Marine Park for this funding proposal. In today’s world, cellular and internet coverage is crucial, for not only day to day activities, but for essential safety services. This will enhance our fire department’s capabilities for emergency response, and overall improve the town’s reach to the users of Marine Park. This is a great example of a municipality assisting businesses within our town, to better the quality of service for the whole community.”
Joedy Wall
Mayor, Town of Pouch Cove

“Bell recognizes that investment in advanced wireless technology is also an investment in the economic potential of a community. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Town of Pouch Cove and Marine Park to expand wireless service and further enhance the tourism potential of the Marine Park area.”
Glen LeBlanc
Vice Chair Atlantic, Bell Canada

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Learn more

Cellular Service Pilot Initiative Call for Proposals external link icon

Town of Pouch Cove external link icon

Bell Canada external link icon

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNLexternal link icon and @TCII_GovNL external link icon

Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Susan Arns
Town of Pouch Cove
709-335-2848
info@pouchcove.ca

Isabelle Boulet
Bell Canada
506-457-5554, 506-478-7823
isabelle.boulet@bellaliant.ca

2018 12 06 11:00 am