Telecoms, CRTC announce changes to boost connectivity in rural/remote areas and during emergency situations

Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp. and the CRTC all made separate announcements Tuesday, July 15 regarding increasing connectivity in emergency situations and in rural and remote areas in general. Rogers has opened up a consumer beta test of text messaging and text-to-911 capabilities via satellite. As of Tuesday, July 15, any Canadian – whether a Rogers customer or not – can sign up for the beta trial of the satellite-to-mobile service for free. The test is expected to end in October, it said in a press release. Once launched, the satellite service will be included in Rogers’ “Ultimate plan” at no extra cost and will be available to everyone else for $15 per month. Those who take part in the beta trial will get a $5 per month discount for 12 months. The company says “Rogers Satellite” covers more than 5.4 million square kilometres. It uses low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites and wireless spectrum licensed by Rogers. The company plans to add support for apps, data and voice service via satellite in the future. Rogers signed an agreement with Starlink parent Space Exploration Technologies Inc. (SpaceX) in Spring 2023 for satellite-to-phone coverage nationwide using the company's spectrum and Starlink’s satellites. It said at the time that coverage would work with all 5G and 4G smartphones, supporting SMS and MMS text. “With Rogers mobile spectrum paired with satellite technology, Canadians can turn their smartphone into a satellite phone to stay connected and access text-to-911 in some of the most remote parts of Canada,” the company’s chief technology officer Mark Kennedy said in a press release Tuesday. The BC Search and Rescue Association and the Search and Rescue Association of Alberta were quoted in the press release stating the satellite-to-mobile service will improve search-and-resuce operations. “For the first time, people in remote areas will have direct access to emergency services without needing specialized equipment. This advancement improves our ability to respond faster and more effectively, ultimately saving lives and enhancing the safety of both the public and our volunteers. We fully support this important step forward,” said Brian Carriere, the president of the Search and Rescue Association of Alberta. Rogers has already been putting satellite-to-mobile voice service to the test. In late 2023, it completed its first such phone call working with Lynk Global Inc., using that company’s LEO satellites and Rogers’ spectrum. Telus gets approvals for North Shore submarine cable Five years after its project was announced, Telus said July 15 it has received the permits needed to deploy a submarine cable starting this fall between Sept-Îles and the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec. If there were to be a break in the data transport network along Route 138 between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles, the company said the fibre cable would keep its services running. “The new submarine fibre optic cable will significantly enhance the potency and resiliency of our networks…,” said Telus CEO Darren Entwistle in a press release. “Given the increasingly severe weather events posing greater risks to connectivity, this redundant infrastructure ensures first responders and families maintain critical communications when they need them most." CRTC launches consult on public alerting system The CRTC is looking for input on improving the alert system used by emergency officials throughout Canada to warn people about situations such as severe weather, AMBER alerts and other emergencies. The National Public Alerting System is the responsibility of federal, provincial and territorial governments and agencies. The CRTC’s role is in requiring that cellphone, cable and satellite TV companies, in addition to radio and TV broadcasters, distribute emergency alerts to the public. The new review is looking at how those geo-targeted alerts are distributed, the CRTC said, with an eye on improving the accessibility of alerts for people with disabilities, potentially distributing alerts in languages "that reflect local communities” beyond English and French, and making sure they are actually available across the country by addressing potential wireless gaps. It is also looking at the existing alert text schedule. Comments on the alert system consult are being accepted until October 14, 2025. news@thewirereport.ca

Telecoms, CRTC announce changes to boost connectivity in rural/remote areas and during emergency situations

Regulatory |
By Wire Report Staff
| July 15, 2025

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Telecoms, CRTC announce changes to boost connectivity in rural/remote areas and during emergency situations

Regulatory | By Wire Report Staff | July 15, 2025

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