Rogers GSM network expands to growing BC corridor

VANCOUVER — Rogers Wireless is heading to northern B.C. to serve two princes.

The company announced it is making a $10 million investment to expand its GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) wireless voice and data network along the corridor of Prince Rupert to Prince George — one of the province’s fastest growing areas.

The first phase of the network expansion will bring Rogers Wireless service to Prince Rupert and Terrace in November of this year, with the towns of Smithers, Kitimat and Hazelton to follow throughout 2008.

Among the many Rogers services that will be made available to customers in these areas are:

“This northern B.C. route is a key business corridor, with dramatically expanding maritime traffic driving steadily increasing transportation volumes yearly along the highway and rail lines. And there is even greater growth expected with expansion of the ports in Prince Rupert and Kitimat,” said Gordon Nelson, vice-president for Rogers in B.C. “Rogers will be bringing a choice to people living and working along Highway 16, including essential business tools such as wireless email and mobile Internet access.”

Nelson said the new services will boost the operations of the region’s trucking, rail, and tourism industries along the route. “The investment we are making, in addition to the $20 million already invested in the network in Northern B.C. over the last 10 years, demonstrates Rogers’ strong commitment to B.C. and the west in general.”

Wireless offerings include:

Data services on popular BlackBerry devices; the mFleet fleet management system that tracks vehicle position and engine health in real time; and Second Voice Line Service that allows customers to have two phone numbers on one wireless device.