Rogers Wireless and the Province of Prince Edward Island today announced that Rogers Wireless will enhance wireless service on the Island, making it easier for residents, tourists and business travelers to stay in touch with the people and information that matter most to them wherever they travel. In addition, Rogers Wireless and Ericsson Canada announced that the two companies would make a $500,000 contribution to the Province’s Technology Development Fund, earmarked for wireless research and development in PEI. This contribution was matched by the Province of PEI.
“By enhancing our wireless coverage on Prince Edward Island, Rogers Wireless will provide residents, as well as the more than one million business travelers and tourists who visit the Island each year, with access to superior wireless service and seamless access to the people and information that matters most to them,” said Jean Laporte, President, Eastern Region, Rogers Wireless Inc. “As the number one wireless provider in Canada, Rogers Wireless is committed to providing our more than 5.5 Million customers with choice, value and convenient access to communications services, and we are delighted to work with the Government of Prince Edward Island to meet that commitment here.”
The enhanced coverage network coverage will be deployed by Ericsson Canada, Rogers Wireless’ primary network infrastructure supplier.
Rogers Wireless and Ericsson also announced that the two companies will contribute $500,000 over the next four years to the Technology Centre Development Fund for wireless research and development in PEI. This donation will be matched by the Province of PEI.
“We welcome Rogers Wireless’ investment in PEI and believe that our agreement with Rogers Wireless will benefit both residents of PEI as well as those who travel to our province,” said the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. “The expansion of Rogers Wireless’ service across our province will ensure greater availability of wireless service to the more than 138,000 Island residents, including the Police, Fire, Ambulance and other Emergency Service Providers and the more than 1.2 million visitors to our province each year.
“Further, we welcome Rogers Wireless’ and Ericsson’s commitment to this investment fund designed to assist mobile game and SMS development companies operating in Prince Edward Island. This fund would be used to support the creation of innovative new mobile games and messaging systems delivered through a mix of development grants, production loans and equity placements. This fund will make Prince Edward Island highly competitive and would assist our efforts to increase expansion and relocation of developers.”
In addition to the expanded wireless service, Rogers Wireless will open two stores: Rogers Plus and Rogers Video, by April 2005. Rogers Wireless products and services are currently available on-line at www.rogers.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more details about the Atlantic Technology Centre, please visit: www.atlantictechnologycentre.ca/main.html
Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. (TSX: RCM; NYSE: RCN) operates Canada's largest integrated wireless voice and data network, providing advanced voice and wireless data solutions to customers from coast to coast on its GSM/GPRS/EDGE network, the world standard for wireless communications technology. The combination of Rogers Wireless and Microcell will have 5.5 million wireless customers and offices in Canadian cities across the country. Rogers Wireless is approximately 89% owned by Rogers Communications Inc.
Technology PEI is the Government of Prince Edward Island’s lead agency in the development, adoption and use of information technologies in business and community in the province.
For more information, contact Sheri Landry of Rogers Wireless Inc. at (902) 493-7111, sheri.landry@rci.rogers.com