There is now cell service between Cranbrook and Yahk.
Telus made the announcement Wednesday, November 14 after going live last weekend at its new Moyie wireless site.
The site, located on a rise southeast of Moyie Lake Provincial Park, brings wireless coverage to 14 kilometres of Highway 3 between Cranbrook and Yahk.
“It was a fairly complex site to build given its remote location. We had to bring in power and our own network to it. It represents an $800,000 investment; it’s a significant project,” said Telus spokesperson Shawn Hall. “We are really thrilled we can turn this site on.”
The new site also brings high-speed internet access to residents between Moyie and Yahk who have until now only had dial-up internet.
Now those residents can connect through Telus to high-speed internet using the wireless network.
Hall said Telus offers a range of affordable wireless modems that plug into the computer’s USB drive.
“For some people, that’s a great option, a great way to access the internet.”
It also increases safety along the stretch of Highway 3, especially for access to 911.
“When you consider that more than 60 per cent of 911 calls come in from wireless devices, there are some real safety benefits to bringing in these new sites, as well as economic developments,” said Hall.
That will be a relief for East Kootenay drivers, said MLA Bill Bennett.
“Having access to cellular service along that road will provide a measure of comfort and safety for all motorists in the area,” said Bennett. “The stretch of Highway 3/95 between Yahk and Moyie is well travelled both by locals and those en route to beautiful destinations such as Moyie Lake Provincial Park.”
Telus signed a 10-year agreement with the B.C. government this year to connect more than 1,700 km of highway with wireless service across B.C.
“This will not be the last wireless site we are building in the area. We are continuing to look for locations for additional wireless sites and will be building those out over the coming years.”
