Telus and Koodo wireless customers will have cellular service along Highway 14 between Sooke and Port Renfrew, thanks to a recent deal with Rogers Communications.
Under the agreement, customers will automatically connect to the network, enabling voice, text, and data usage without additional charges.
The extended service utilizes the newly completed Rogers network, which has eliminated a 70-kilometer dead zone along the highway, benefiting remote communities and popular Island destinations.
While some limitations exist for extended network features and services, the enhancement responds to the demand for connectivity along Highway 14, a Telus spokesperson said.
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“We listened to our customers and understood the importance of connectivity along Highway 14,” said Olivia Andolfatto, Telus’s spokesperson. “We are always exploring options to further enhance wireless service in the region.”
Funding for the ambitious $5.7-million project came from the provincial government and Rogers Communications.
The network went live in May, and all cellphone users could call 911, but only Rogers customers could use the network for others calls along the remote portion of Highway 14, encompassing communities like Jordan River and Port Renfrew, as well as French and China Beach provincial parks and the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
Rogers Communications has emphasized that wireless service is available to customers of any wireless provider that has opted into domestic roaming agreements. Companies that opt in to this service must compensate the owner of the network.
Telus signed after a nudge from Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar.
Parmar recently met with Telus representatives to discuss the importance of enhanced network coverage in the region.
“I commend Telus for their proactive approach and commitment to serving our community better,” Parmar said. “Such initiatives not only improve connectivity but also contribute significantly to the region’s safety and overall development.”
Andolfatto said network coverage is available for Telus postpaid and Koodo postpaid customers only. Postpaid customers sign up for services and pay a recurring monthly charge at the end of the month, while prepaid and subscription customers pay for services used upfront on a month-to-month basis.
“We are working quickly to bring this connectivity to Koodo prepaid and public mobile customers,” she said.