PRINCE GEORGE, BC (December 30, 2024) – Rogers Communications has taken a significant step toward improving connectivity and safety along British Columbia’s Highway 16. The company announced the activation of five new cellular towers, providing 911 access for all travelers and 5G wireless coverage for Rogers customers. With nine of the planned 11 towers now operational, this milestone marks the substantial completion of the Highway 16 project.
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Expanding Connectivity Across Highway 16
“With nine towers in service, we are proud to provide 166 kilometers of 5G cellular coverage on Highway 16, closing most of the wireless gap between Prince Rupert and Prince George,” said Mark Kennedy, Chief Technology Officer at Rogers Communications.
Kennedy emphasized the collaborative effort behind this initiative: “We are honored to work with Indigenous communities and government partners on this generational project to increase safety and improve connectivity in the region for residents and travelers.”
When completed, the project will provide 252 kilometers of new cellular coverage along Highway 16, ensuring continuous connectivity along the 720-kilometer corridor.
Enhancing Safety Along the Highway of Tears
The initiative fulfills a key recommendation from the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium report, which called for improved communication infrastructure to enhance safety for Indigenous women and girls.
Mary Teegee, a prominent Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) activist, praised the project’s impact.
“In 2006, the Highway of Tears Governing Body dreamed of having a communication network between Prince Rupert and Prince George. Our vision was to build telephone booths along the corridor. Today, 18 years later, we celebrate the substantial completion of this project,” Teegee said. “These towers are more than just infrastructure; they are lifelines for the north. I commend Rogers for leading the way in reconciliation and safety.”
Collaboration and Investment
This project is part of Rogers’ broader commitment to expanding wireless services to underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in British Columbia and across Canada. The Highway 16 towers were built in partnership with the province’s Connecting British Columbia program, administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust, and the federal Universal Broadband Fund.
The corridor also stands as a tribute to the memory of the Indigenous women and girls who have tragically disappeared or been murdered along Highway 16.
Rogers’ Commitment to Canada’s Connectivity
Rogers has made significant investments to bridge digital divides and support underserved regions. Over the past decade, the company has invested more than $40 billion into its networks. This year alone, Rogers is allocating $4 billion toward capital investments to expand its 5G infrastructure, now serving over 2,500 communities across the country.
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Looking Ahead
Once completed, the Highway 16 project will establish seamless 5G connectivity from Prince Rupert to Prince George. This achievement not only enhances safety and communication but also demonstrates Rogers’ leadership in creating meaningful change through partnerships and investments.
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