Improved cell service and broadband is coming to municipalities in Renfrew County. Representatives from the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) presented to all local municipalities at the county council meeting at the end of October. Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations for EORN, Lisa Severson, says they plan to build over 100 cell towers to help fill in the gaps in service. Severson says the provincial and federal governments have each committed $71-million, the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus and mayors caucuses have put in $10-million and the private sector will contribute another $61-million to make the project happen. She says the plan is for construction to start next year and wrap up within five years.
Some concerns raised from county councillors included the fact that during the flooding this year there was no cell service in emergency centres in Whitewater Region and Laurentian Valley. Other concerns included the lack of representation from Renfrew County on the EORN board of directors. Severson says the wardens caucus chooses the representation on the board. Local mayors hope our area is at the top of the list for construction and agreed that boosting connectivity is a priority for the area. Severson adds she will return early next year to provide an update to county council on the local part of the project.
