Local News
November 15, 2004
Today at the tech centere Rogers and the Province announced the folllowing investment.
- Rogers Wireless to enhance wireless coverage in PEI
- Company to invest in research and development fund to spur technology
developments on the Island. $500K + $500K matching from the Province. (* over a four year period)
It appears the fund is directed at such things as wireless gaming, and other services that can be provided via GSM cell phones.
Details from newswire follow....
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Rogers Wireless Announces Significant Investment in Prince Edward Island
- Rogers Wireless to enhance wireless coverage in PEI -
- Company to invest in research and development fund to spur technology
developments on the Island -
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI, Nov. 15 /CNW/ - Rogers Wireless and the Province of
Prince Edward Island today announced that Rogers Wireless will enhance
wireless service on the Island, making it easier for residents, tourists and
business travelers to stay in touch with the people and information that
matter most to them wherever they travel. In addition, Rogers Wireless and
Ericsson Canada announced that the two companies would make a $500,000
contribution to the Province's Technology Development Fund, earmarked for
wireless research and development in PEI. This contribution was matched by the
Province of PEI.
"By enhancing our wireless coverage on Prince Edward Island, Rogers
Wireless will provide residents, as well as the more than one million business
travelers and tourists who visit the Island each year, with access to superior
wireless service and seamless access to the people and information that
matters most to them," said Jean Laporte, President, Eastern Region, Rogers
Wireless Inc. "As the number one wireless provider in Canada, Rogers Wireless
is committed to providing our more than 5.5 Million customers with choice,
value and convenient access to communications services, and we are delighted
to work with the Government of Prince Edward Island to meet that commitment
here."
The enhanced network coverage will be deployed by Ericsson Canada, Rogers
Wireless' primary network infrastructure supplier.
Rogers Wireless and Ericsson also announced that the two companies will
contribute $500,000 over the next four years to the Technology Centre
Development Fund for wireless research and development in PEI. This donation
will be matched by the Province of PEI.
"We welcome Rogers Wireless' investment in PEI and believe that our
agreement with Rogers Wireless will benefit both residents of PEI as well as
those who travel to our province," said the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of
Prince Edward Island. "The expansion of Rogers Wireless' service across our
province will ensure greater availability of wireless service to the more than
138,000 Island residents, including the Police, Fire, Ambulance and other
Emergency Service Providers and the more than 1.2 million visitors to our
province each year.
"Further, we welcome Rogers Wireless' and Ericsson's commitment to this
investment fund designed to assist mobile game and SMS development companies
operating in Prince Edward Island. This fund would be used to support the
creation of innovative new mobile games and messaging systems delivered
through a mix of development grants, production loans and equity placements.
This fund will make Prince Edward Island highly competitive and would assist
our efforts to increase expansion and relocation of developers."
In addition to the expanded wireless service, Rogers Wireless will open
two stores: Rogers Plus and Rogers Video, by April 2005. Rogers Wireless
products and services are currently available on-line at www.rogers.com, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more details about the Atlantic Technology Centre, please visit:
http://www.atlantictechnologycentre.ca/main.html
About Rogers Wireless:
Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. (TSX: RCM; NYSE: RCN) operates
Canada's largest integrated wireless voice and data network, providing
advanced voice and wireless data solutions to customers from coast to coast on
its GSM/GPRS/EDGE network, the world standard for wireless communications
technology. The combination of Rogers Wireless and Microcell will have 5.5
million wireless customers and offices in Canadian cities across the country.
Rogers Wireless is approximately 89% owned by Rogers Communications Inc.
About Technology PEI:
Technology PEI is the Government of Prince Edward Island's lead agency in
the development, adoption and use of information technologies in business and
community in the province.
For further information: Sheri Landry, Rogers Wireless Inc., PH:
(902) 493-7111, sheri.landry@rci.rogers.com; Ann Thurlow, Department of
Development and Technology, PEI, PH: (902) 569-0571, aethurlow@gov.pe.ca;
Archived images on this organization are available through CNW E-Pix at
http://www.newswire.ca. Images are free to members of The Canadian Press.
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