East Algoma Cell Site Echo Bay/Hwy 638

This entry provides an update on the previous blog concerning funding for the new Bell cell site at Echo Bay Hwy 638. As can be seen in this photo  taken 05 Jul 2011, the construction phase is progressing quite well. There is no change in the previously announced in-service date of fall 2011.

Original photo provided by Morry Brown

I remind users that this is a Bell 3G/4G HSPA only site. Older 2/2.5G CDMA phone technology will not be able to access the site. Telus 3G/4G HSPA hardware will work with the site. Users wishing to take advantage of the site need to ensure their hardware is 3G/4G HSAP compatible. The site will work with Smartphones and HSPA data hubs.
Rogers hardware will not work with this new Bell site.

Correction for FIDO Coverage

I wish to correct an entry in my comment to Larry Ash dated July 3, 2011 12:22 in this blog entry concerning Rogers’s FIDO flanker brand. I stated “..Fido will also not work due to frequency incompatibility. The North Sault HSPA operates on the 850 MHz band while Fido operates on the 1900 MHz band. “

While FIDO originally and still does operate in the 1900 MHz band, the new FIDO hardware and SIM card also allows operation in the 850 MHZ band. Therefore, FIDO HSPA hardware is technically capable of gaining access to Rogers’s total HSPA network. However, I would verify by actual trial that it really works on the Tbaytel/Rogers network before signing a long term, non-revocable contract.

I apologize for the incorrect information provided previously.

Baldhead and Montreal River HSPA Launched 30 Jun 11

Baldhead and Montreal River can be added to the list of active Tbaytel 3G/4G HSPA sites in the Algoma District.
This is the overall status originally dated 30 Jun 11 and updated on 15 Jul 11.

Pays Platt	Launched
Horn	Launched
Neys	TBD
Bamoos	Launched
Hemlo Bell	TBD
White River	Launched
Marion Lake	Launched
Desolation	TBD
Dubreuilville	TBD
Chapleau	TBD
Wawa	Launched
Michipicoten	Launched
Baldhead	Launched
Montreal River	Launched
Ryan	Launched
Batchawana	TBD
Bellevue	Launched
Searchmont	TBD

Goulais (Buttermilk) HSPA Site On-Line 21 Jun 11

The Goulais (Buttermilk) 3G/4G HSPA service came on line on 21 Jun 11.

This means that three sites in the North Sault area are now providing 3G/4G HSPA service – Bellevue, Goulais (Buttermilk) and Heyden.

These sites use 3G/4G technology that is compatible with the Rogers network hardware as well as hardware procured from Tbaytel.

Bell/Telus 2G/2.5G CDMA compatible hardware will continue to work in that mode but Bell/Telus 3G/4G HSPA hardware will not work.

The plan to roll-out of additional HSPA sites at Searchmont and along the Hwy 17 corridor will continue over the summer. Exact dates are not available at this time.

There is still no date as to when the Goulais (Buttermilk) Canopy fixed wireless broadband (high speed Internet) will be in service.

Goulais (Buttermilk) Operational in CDMA Mode Only 20 Jun 11

Up dated 22 Jun 11- Goulais (Buttermilk) 3G/4G HSPA became operational on 21 Jun 11


Tbaytel confirmed on Monday, 20 Jun 11 that only Bell/Tbaytel CDMA service is currently available from the Goulais (Buttermilk) site.

Canopy broadband (high speed Internet) and Rogers/Tbaytel HSPA is not yet available.

Goulais (Buttermilk) Cell and Broadband Site as of 18 Jun 11

The Goulais (Buttermilk) site may be working. While I have not received any confirmation from Tbaytel, I have received reports from a number of other sources stating that they seem to be getting a functional CDMA signal from the site.

I drove around the site in Saturday afternoon and along Hwy 17. I also got a CDMA signal but I found it rather inconsistent. It fluctuated from one to five bars in a very short distance.

I do not have any HSPA test equipment so if anyone in the areas of Goulais (Buttermilk) with a Rogers or Tbaytel HSPA handset, is getting a signal please post something in the comment section below.

I have no word on the Canopy broadband (high-speed Internet) at this time.

I hope to get a confirmation of the official status of the Goulais (Buttermilk) site from Tbaytel on Monday and will update at that time.

East Algoma et al New Cell Site Location List

On 14 Jun 11 , NOHFC announced funding for 24 new cellular telephone sites in Northern Ontario.
Of particular interest to the residents of East Algoma, are the four new cell towers to be built near Spanish and Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation along the Hwy17 corridor, and Highway 108 and Highway 639 in the Elliott Lake region. These sites will help close the current gaps in highway coverage.
This announcement culminates the collaborative efforts of ADnet, Blue Sky Net and NetCentral to improve the overall cellular coverage in their respective regions . ADnet thanks NetCentral for acting as the lead CBN on the project over the past 4 years.
This is  a full list of the sites approved by NOHFC:
The following sites to be constructed and operated by Rogers. The dollar amount shown  is the NOHFC share of the public-private partnership for the $15.8 million project.

•                 $1.9 million for two (2) cell sites on Hwy 108 (one north of the city and one near the airport) and two (2) sites on Hwy 17 near Spanish and Sagamok First Nation
•                 $2.9 million for six (6) sites including Bonfield, Hwys 654/534, West Arm of Lake Nipissing, Hwy 64 near Alban, Shane and Monetville
•                $3.4 million for seven (7) sites including the Town of Temagami, Hwy  11  near Martin River, Hwy 64 near Field and Loon Bay, and three (3) sites on Hwy 63 from North Bay to Temiscaming (Feronia, Balsam Creek and Hwy 63/533)
•         $3.4 million for seven (7) sites on Manitoulin Island including Hwy  6 near Willisville, Whitefish Falls, Sheguiandah First Nation, Manitowaning and South Baymouth), Mindemoya (Hwy 542/551) and M’Chigeeng First Nation

The sites will be built by Rogers in the 2012/2013 time frame.They will be 3G/4G HSPA capable which means they can provide both voice and broadband service.