News Summary

Rogers Communications has announced the activation of five new cellular towers along British Columbia’s Highway 16, also known as the Highway of Tears. This significant development aims to improve public safety by providing 911 access and expanding 5G wireless coverage for travelers and residents along the route. The project is part of Rogers’ broader commitment to enhancing connectivity in underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada. With nine of the planned eleven towers already in service, the initiative currently covers 166 kilometers of the highway, with an ultimate goal of 252 kilometers, ensuring continuous service along the 720-kilometer corridor. This effort not only addresses wireless service gaps but also fulfills a recommendation from the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium report to enhance safety for Indigenous women and girls.