Eclipse-watchers expected to put pressure on cellphone networks
With Monday's solar eclipse expected to draw tens of thousands to regions along the path of totality in Eastern Canada, major cellphone and internet providers say they're ready to handle a surge in wireless traffic in those areas.
Cities such as Niagara Falls, Ont., and Montreal have been bracing for an influx of tourists this weekend.
“As with any large event that brings high levels of visitation into a concentrated area, it is possible that cell signal may be compromised,” the City of Niagara Falls said in a post on its website.
The city said it is expecting up to one million visitors over the coming days. It warned local businesses that visitors may have urgent requests to use their landline phones if cell service becomes spotty.
But Canada's largest telecommunications carriers say they have been preparing and are confident their networks will hold up.
Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. said they would deploy additional infrastructure to certain areas to prevent any potential disruptions. For Rogers and Bell, that includes using portable mobile towers, known as Cell on Wheels, or COWS, to increase capacity.
The companies also said their technical teams would pause routine maintenance work that could potentially reduce service levels.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many Canadians and we are getting ready to handle the potential increase in wireless traffic in communities along the path of totality,” said Rogers spokesman Cam Gordon in a statement.
Unlike its two largest competitors, Telus doesn't need to deploy Cell on Wheels, said spokeswoman Jacinthe Beaulieu. She said Telus has made “massive investments in our network” in recent years that will allow it to offer increased capacity on Monday.
Quebecor Inc. said in a statement that the “strength and robustness of our network should ensure continuity of wireless service” on eclipse day for all Videotron, Freedom Mobile and Fizz subscribers.