cell service

This article first appeared on MobileSyrup and it has been shared with permission. To see the original article, click here.

While visiting cottage country is a summer staple for many Canadians, it’s seldom that people leave all of their electronic devices behind.

Opensignal examined what cottage dwellers can expect when accessing services through their mobile network this summer.

Download speeds were reported at an impressive 113.7Mbps — but only when connected to 5G. Those connected with 4G could only get download speeds of 52.9Mbps.

It goes without surprise that both of these download speeds were slower when compared to the national average. Nationally, 5G download speeds were over nine percent faster, and 4G speeds were almost 12 percent faster.

A similar trend was recorded for upload speeds, but the gap between speeds nationally compared to cottage country was smaller. 5G users in cottage country saw uploads at 17.6Mbps, and 4G users saw 10Mbps. Comparatively, national users saw an upload speed of 19.8Mbps with 5G and 11.8Mbps with 4G.

The report notes the differences in mobile networks between cottage country users and national users begin and end with mobile upload and download speeds.

Examining streaming video over mobile, there was no “statistically significant difference” in the experience when connected to 5G. A small difference when comparing the 4G experience was reported.

Photo by Opensignal Limited/MobileSyrup

There was also no difference while gaming or using over-the-top (OTT) voice app services, including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

“The quality of users’ experience in cottage country regions while streaming videos, playing multiplayer mobile games and using voice app services, was on par with the national experience, with very little or no significant difference in scores on both 4G and 5G,” the study says.

Rogers is constructing six new cell towers along Highway 4 in B.C. to improve connectivity in the area.

The towers will be constructed between Port Alberni and Tofino. Two existing towers will also be upgraded. The construction will provide 85kms of coverage to several communities along Vancouver Island.

“Highway 4 is a vital route, and this project will provide… new service and resolve spotty coverage, improving safety and reliable connectivity as soon as possible for all who depend on it for commercial transportation, tourism and travelling to and from their homes,” Jorge Fernandes, the company’s chief technology officer, said in a statement.

This isn’t the first time the telecom giant announced it was expanding services in the province. Expansion projects along Highways 14, 95, and 97 are also being completed through the Connecting British Columbia program. This has seen the telecom company partner with B.C’s government to make network investments in the province.

Seven towers are being built along Highway 14, with construction expected to be completed this year. The company is also constructing towers across Highway 16 along the area known as the Highway of Tears.

In a statement, Rogers notes the Highway 4 expansion is fully funded by the company alone.

Source: Rogers