Home

Introduction

Governance

Contacts

Communities

Documents

Projects   

General Interest

News Archives

Links

North Sault Broadband and Cellular Status

Updated 22 Jun 11

Additional background information to this project can be found at North Sault Broadband and Cellular Schedule

Updated 22 Jun 11

Roll out of Canopy fixed wireless broadband (high speed Internet) continues at a steady pace for users within range of the Batchawana, Bellevue, Heyden or Searchmont tower sites,

The installer reports he is doing between 3 to 5 installs a day depending on their complexity. Unfortunately, there were a few potential users that could not receive the signal.

The Goulais (Buttermilk)  2/2.5G CDMA site became active around 16 Jun 11, and activation of the 3G/4G HSPA  equipment occurred on 21 Jun 11.

The Canopy activation is still in the future.

Updated 01 Jun 11

Tbaytel Region In-fill Project

Tbaytel reports confirm that the Bellevue and Heyden Canopy fixed wireless broadband (high speed Internet) become fully functional at noon on 30 May 11 and installations have started. As anticipated there is a fairly large backlog of orders and the installers will get to potential users as soon as possible.

This leaves only the Goulais (Buttermilk) site left for both Canopy and 2/2.5 CDMA cellular activation. No date has been provided as to when the site will be available.  When iit s completed, the Tbaytel Regional In-fill (RIF) project for the Algoma District will be completed.

The Canopy service is now available at Hawk Junction, Batchawana, Heyden, Bellevue and Searchmont.

To acquire the service, Call Tbaytel Customer Service:    1-800-264-9501 or Email customercare@tbaytel.net

Tbaytel 3G HSPA Project

Tbaytel calls this their “Tbaytel with the power of Rogers” program. It is separate from the RIP project and is fully funded by the private sector. It does not receive any public funds subsidy.

A report on 31 May 11 confirmed the following cellular sites along the Hwy 17 corridor north from the Sault towards Thunder Bay are now operational in both the 2/2.5G CDMA mode and the 3G HSPA mode:

a. Bellevue
b. Michipicoten
c. Wawa
d. Marion Lake
e. White River

Additional sites are scheduled for between now and September 2011.

Updated 26 May 11

There have two major break throughs in the last week.

On the broadband (high speed Internet)  front, Tbaytel has started to contact users who registered for the Canopy wireless broadband (high speed Internet) service to arrange site visits to confirm the availability of the signal and to carry out installations.

Tbaytel uses computer generated coverage projection models to determine which access point provides coverage in the user’s area. For the initial phase, areas covered by the Bellevue and Heyden access sites will be contacted followed shortly by people in the Goulais (Buttermilk) area.

As previously reported, there is considerable pent-up demand and it may take a while to get around to all potential users.

The visits are scheduled to start the week of 30 May 11.These new access point sites join the Batchawana and Searchmont sites that have been providing service for nearly a year.

On the cellular side, the Bellevue HSPA cell site is now operational.

This means users with Rogers or Tbaytel 3G HSPA hardware i.e. smart phones should be able to get service in the coverage area. The site will not work with Rogers 2/2.5G GSM hardware. 

Bell and Telus 3G HSPA will not work with the new service. The site will continue to provide Tbaytel and Bell/Telus 2/2.5G CDMA service. In other words, if you were able to use your cell phone previously, the new HSPA service will have no effect.

Tbaytel will be providing more details on the HSPA service in due course and I will provide particulars as they become known.

Updated 20 Apr 11

A team of technicians and high riggers working for Tbaytel  between 13 and 20 Apr 11 installed the microwave antennae needed to connect the cellular and broadband (high speed Internet) sites at Goulais (Buttermilk)  and Heyden to the hub site at Bellevue. This was the last major construction obstacle before moving into the testing and commissioning phase required to bring the cellular and broadband (high speed Internet) sites on-line. Barring further problems, users should be able to use the cellular service within the week.

The Canopy broadband service requires installation by a professional installer. This is arranged through Tbaytel Customer Service: 807-623-4400 or 1-800-264-9501 or Email: customercare@tbaytel.net . There is pent-up demand for the broadband (high speed Internet) service and it may take a period of time to get all the installations completed. ADnet advised Tbaytel of the possible demand levels and they indicated they were ready to respond.   

For additional information read the blogs entries entitled:
Signs of work at Bellevue and  Goulais River Broadband

The broadband (high-speed Internet) will be provided using wireless technology. The service provider will be Tbaytel. Contact Tbaytel for additional details.