Rogers Offers Free Satellite-Based Text Messaging in Northern Ontario Until October

Rogers is offering free text messaging service via the Starlink satellite network across northern Ontario until the end of October. The service, called Rogers Satellite, will allow users to send text messages, apps, email, and data, with voice calls expected in the future. This initiative aims to improve cellular reception in areas with dead zones and is seen as a step forward in public safety, particularly in emergency situations.

Rogers Communications has launched a new initiative to improve cellular reception in northern Ontario by offering free text messaging service via the Starlink satellite network until the end of October. The service, named Rogers Satellite, will enable users to send text messages, access apps, email, and data, with voice calls expected in the future [1].

The move aims to address the significant cellular dead zones prevalent in northern Ontario, where less than half of the region has reliable service. Mark Kennedy, Rogers' chief technology officer, described the service as turning smartphones into satellite phones [1]. The service is particularly seen as a step forward in public safety, as it can facilitate communication during emergencies, such as wildfires or major storms [1].

Carmi Levy, a technology analyst and journalist, hailed the initiative as a "game changer," highlighting the need for better cellular coverage in rural and remote areas of Canada [1]. Levy also noted that the free service comes at a time when Rogers and other major telecom providers are considering the shutdown of their outdated 3G cellular networks, which often serve as the only signal in rural areas [1].

While the Rogers Satellite service is a significant advancement, it is not without its limitations. Susan Church, executive director of North Bay-based Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation, tested the service and found that it did not support video messaging, a feature that could be crucial in certain emergency situations [1]. However, she acknowledged the service as a positive step forward and emphasized the need for more robust cellular networks in the region [1].

Church also pointed out the financial challenges of expanding cellular networks in sparsely populated areas, where the cost of setting up towers is higher than for internet towers [1]. The lack of government programs to encourage cellular development in northern Ontario further complicates the situation [1].

In conclusion, Rogers' free text messaging service via Starlink satellite network is a notable step towards improving cellular reception and public safety in northern Ontario. However, the initiative is part of a broader conversation about the need for more comprehensive cellular network development in the region.

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/rogers-offering-free-cellular-service-for-a-few-months-even-in-the-dead-zones-of-northern-ontario-1.7596380