A newly completed cellular connectivity project between Nicholson and Harrogate will provide access to 911 services along approximately 25 kilometres of Highway 95.

The improved service will also cover the Braisher Creek rest area.

The province invested as much as $773,000 for the cellular connectivity project along the stretch of highway. Rogers Communications contributed more than $509,000.

“The number one reason government is investing in highway cellular connectivity projects is to increase public safety,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “We are committed to expanding access to cellular service, and that includes rural and remote areas, because everyone deserves to feel safe on B.C. highways.”

“An increase in cellular service has proven to dramatically improve search-and-rescue efforts. Knowing where the subject is reduces the duration of an incident by almost six times and cuts in half the number of person-hours involved. Continued improvements to cellular services in B.C. will have a very positive impact to search and rescue,” added Dwight Yochim, British Columbia Search and Rescue Association CEO.

The funding is part of a $15-million investment made by the province in 2020 as part of the Stronger BC Economic Recovery dedicated to support expansion of highway cellular service and connectivity at rest areas.

In March 2023, the province announced another $75 million through the Connecting British Columbia program. The program is administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust, to help fund projects that will expand cellular service to at least another 550 kilometres of highway by 2027.

“Rogers is proud to work with the B.C. government to bring access to reliable wireless and emergency services for travellers along this vital stretch of Highway 95 for the first time, as we expand Canada’s largest 5G network. Coming together with Shaw, Rogers is investing $6.5 billion to connect to more communities across Western Canada,” stated Ron McKenzie, chief technology and information officer of Rogers Communications.

“This recent cellular project will provide significant safety improvements to all who live in this area of the Kootenay region. For those travelling through, they will now have cellular service at a rest stop, providing a safe place for travellers to take a break from driving, plan their route or look for highway-condition updates before resuming their journey. Northern Development looks forward to administering new funding through the Connecting BC program to continue supporting new highway cellular projects,” added Joel McKay, CEO of Northern Development Initiative Trust.

There are approximately 15,000 kilometres of primary, secondary and major highways in B.C.

As of December 2022, 10,800 kilometres had access to cellular service and 4,200 kilometres did not have cellular service.

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