Province’s cell phone money ‘a step forward’, says Goobie

By Mark Squibb

Holyrood residents will be glad to hear that Holyrood, along with Heart’s Delight-Islington and Trinity East, has been earmarked by the provincial government for cellular upgrades.
The Province announced $2 million for cellular upgrades in the three communities earlier this month. The communities were selected based on proximity to existing towers, the state of the existing coverage, the need and projected impact, and data available from federal agencies.
Holyrood Mayor Gary Goobie, who along with other members of council who have long fought for improved cell phone coverage in the area, was well pleased with the news.
“This funding announcement by the provincial government to support enhancing cellular upgrades to our community is certainly welcome news and hopefully will improve the quality of cell phone service in our town and surrounding area,” said Goobie. “I vividly remember during the last municipal election, cell phone coverage and the condition of Route 60 were, by far, the most predominant issues I repeatedly heard from the majority of residents I spoke with.”
Council has since made the issue of poor cell phone coverage a top priority, and the subject has been discussed in council chambers time-and-time again. Council has held several meetings with Bell representatives and written letters to Bell Mobility, Municipalities NL, the provincial government, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regarding poor cell phone coverage.
Goobie, meanwhile, noted the issue affects many more communities across the province other than the three which are to benefit from this funding.
“We look forward to having more dialogue regarding the specific work that will be done and the desired outcome,” said Goobie. “It’s a step forward, and we’re finally making progress.”