Upgrades to the cellular infrastructure means digital text may soon be on the local scene

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Good news for those folks that frequently bemoan the lack of data services available through CityWest.

A partnership between CityWest and Northwestel Wireless Inc., will soon see Prince Rupert provided with a number of features that they presently don't have access to.

Coming soon to a CityWest cel phone near you will be; text messaging, photo messaging, e-mail access and internet browser access through cell phones.

The development has been greeted with applause from the Port Corporation, as the increased capacity required for the new features will also help to assist in improving reception and logistics assistance at the Fairview Container Port, giving CityWest an opportunity to gain customers as the Port continues to grow.

The Northern View had all the details on the CityWest announcement posted to its website today.

Wireless data services set to start in Rupert next month
By Shaun Thomas The Northern View
Aug 22 2007

Residents of Prince Rupert could see text messaging and other wireless data services in the city by the end of next month as CityWest announced on Monday that it was finalizing an agreement that would see significant upgrades to the cellular infrastructure in
the city.

The installation and operation of the new cellular network, which will include the availability of text messaging, photo messaging, e-mail access and internet browser access through cell phones, is being done in partnership with Northwestel Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of the largest communications provider in Northern Canada. The installation and test period for the upgrades will take place throughout September with a tentative launch date set for late September.

“CityWest is pleased to have reached a sound business arrangement in order to offer this exciting new service to our customers,” said Rob Brown, General Manager at CityWest.

“Some customers may say ‘finally’ when they hear this, but the fact is we have been working on this for a long-time, well over a year in fact, and until recently we just have not been able to make the business case work.”

CityWest will provide current customers with different options and packages for including the wireless data services and will provide new plans as well. There will also be plans introduced aimed specifically at Blackberry and Palm phone sets that the company will be offering once the services are launched.

As well as providing data services, the upgrades include plans for an additional cellular site to improve coverage at the Faiview Terminal site, something that Prince Rupert Port Authority President and CEO Don Krusel said was good news for the future development of the port.

“The introduction of wireless data services will ensure that the port will be able to provide its customers and clients with the latest logistics technology and allow us to promote further growth and expansion here in Prince Rupert,” he said.