RENFREW COUNTY – More than 100 cell phone towers will be built in Eastern Ontario over the next five years.

Improved cell service and broadband is coming to municipalities in Renfrew County. Representatives from the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) presented to local municipalities at the upper-tier Renfrew County municipal council meeting at the end of October.

Lisa Severson, director of communications and stakeholder relations for EORN, says the organization is leading the plan to build more than 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 caucus 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 during the flooding this past spring 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 Renfrew County is at the top of the list for construction and agreed that boosting connectivity is a priority for the area.  

Severson said she will return early next year to provide an update to county council on the local part of the project.

• Courtesy Oldies 107.7 FM