Cell phone signal finally available in Saint-Elzéar
Nelson Sergerie, LJI
SAINT-ELZÉAR: – The cellphone situation is finally resolved in St. Elzéar. In September 2021, the town made headlines when an emergency alert was not received by cellphones in the town.
The improved service is due to a cellular tower which has been operational since August 29 and covers an area of some 60 square kilometres.
Construction of the tower, which began in November, was completed in the spring. All that remained was to install the telecommunications equipment and put it into service, which has now been completed.
“People are happy because it was a matter of safety. Remember the September 4, 2021, incident and the shooter who made headlines even on the international scene. It’s a significant investment, and people are very happy,” notes Saint-Elzéar Mayor Pâquerette Poirier.
The 2021 incident the mayor is referring to involved the municipality not receiving a national alert via cellphones when an armed individual was at large in that municipality. The lack of alert was due to inadequate cellphone coverage.
Quebec Premier François Legault traveled to Saint-Elzéar on June 28, 2024, to announce the deployment of the cellular network in the Bonaventure backcountry, including Saint-Elzéar and Saint-Alphonse, with financial support from the Quebec government through Telus.
Within days the telecommunications giant announced a $6 million investment of its own funds, combined with government assistance, for the deployment and upgrade of its cellular networks in the Gaspé Peninsula. With a contribution of $7.25 million from the Quebec government and $6 million from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Telus announced the addition of approximately ten new 5G wireless sites in Gaspé, Percé, Saint-Alphonse and Saint-Elzéar. The communities of Hope and Listuguj were also mentioned by the premier at the time.
The Quebec government has committed to putting all towers into service by the end of 2026. The Saint-Alphonse tower is expected to be operational in October.
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