Inverness Co.‘s warden says it’s clearer than ever the municipality needs improved cell phone coverage.
Betty Ann MacQuarrie says access to a cell signal is even more important during power outages- as was the case following Hurricane Dorian- or when lines are damaged.
After October’s regular council meeting Thursday afternoon, MacQuarrie told The Hawk battery-powered landline phones can leave rural residents with no options during a storm.
“There are people out in the country roads that don’t have any mode of contact,” she said. “They don’t have cell phone service, their battery has been depleted, and they are out of touch.”
MacQuarrie said cell service outages made it difficult to keep residents informed during and after the storm.
She said communication is even more important during an emergency event.
“Getting the word out was a little difficult because systems were down, cell phones weren’t working the way they usually do, and that was a hurdle- that may be something we will look at as well,” she said. “Lack of communication is the big one, and our cell phone service is not the best at the best of times.”
MacQuarrie said they’re still working with Develop Nova Scotia reps to improve the cell coverage situation in the region, and they’ve asked their CAO for a report on telecommunications infrastructure and development.
