Rogers Communications has announced the activation of five new cellular towers along British Columbia’s Highway of Tears, significantly improving 911 service accessibility along the corridor. These new towers extend coverage over 166 kilometers, addressing previous wireless service gaps on this stretch of Highway 16. With the completion of these installations, which also includes two remaining towers, continuous wireless service will span the entire 720-kilometer route from Prince George to Prince Rupert.
The project enhances 5G wireless connectivity and provides vital 911 access for all travelers, benefiting residents, including those in Indigenous communities. Mark Kennedy, Rogers’ chief technology officer, emphasized that the nine operational towers have already substantially bridged the service gap in the area.
The corridor, notoriously known as the Highway of Tears, has been the site of numerous murders and disappearances of Indigenous women and girls. The new cellular coverage fulfills a recommendation from the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium report, which highlighted the need for more accessible emergency communication along the route.
Activist Mary Teegee hailed the introduction of these towers as essential communication lifelines for northern communities, underscoring their importance for safety and connection across the region.
