The City of Rossland is looking into reports of problems with local cell service after a citizen’s complaint landed on council’s agenda this week.
Carolyn Gillis said she was concerned about “significant cell phone coverage issues” that began in the area around mid-November.
“These disruptions have raised serious safety and connectivity challenges for our community,” she wrote.
She asked that the city advocate for a fix with service providers and explore anything that would ensure reliable coverage for the area.
Mayor Andy Morel said in an interview that problems with cell coverage seem to affect all providers, not any one in particular.
He said some of it may have been tied to December’s big windstorm in the area.
“Not only did it leave a good part of the community without electricity, but also connection to cell service as well,” he said.
But he’s not sure why the problem has persisted.
“You’ve got to wonder, are [service providers] not keeping up to the hardware requirements?” he asked. “Or is there not technical experience available locally to deal with these issues when they come up?”
Morel said he is trying to get a handle on whether the issue is Rossland-specific or broader. He plans to bring it up at the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary’s east end services committee next week, and at the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments conference this spring if necessary.
He said he has not heard that any local government has taken the matter up directly with service providers.
Telus said its wireless network is operating normally in Rossland and they haven’t identified any issues related to their coverage.
We’ve also asked Rogers and Bell for comment but have not heard back.
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