Freedom Mobile looking to establish eight wireless service sites in Comox Valley, B.C.

Regional carrier Freedom Mobile has proposed eight new wireless service sites in Comox Valley, British Columbia.

According to the Comox Valley Record, two representatives from the carrier pitched the sites to the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) at a meeting of it’s Electoral Area Services Committee yesterday.

“We’re hoping to launch as soon as possible in this market,” said Freedom representative Chad Marlatt, according to the Comox Valley Record.

Marlatt also explained that Freedom wants to use existing infrastructure as much as possible. The representatives proposed building antennas on two water towers in the area along with utilizing an existing Rogers tower for antennas.

Of the proposed sites, some would require new infrastructure. The proposed new towers would be 40-metre-tall monopoles.

Monopoles are generally favoured in the communications industry for being less intrusive and easier to build. The proposed monopoles would be located in secluded wooded areas at least 300 metres away from nearby homes.

Rod Nichol, one of the area directors in the CVRD, cautioned the representatives that there would be a need to consult with First Nations regarding one of the proposed monopole sites.

“It’s in our mutual interest to be as invisible as possible,” said Freedom Mobile’s western regional manager for real estate and municipal affairs, Erica Rigik. However, Rigik also warned that sometimes new infrastructure was inevitable in order to provide the service Freedom offers.

The next step for Freedom is a government-mandated public consultation. When that process is done, the carrier will report back to the CVRD.

The expansion is part of Freedom’s push into smaller regions. The Shaw-owned carrier currently has established networks in large Canadian cities like Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver, to name a few.

Source: Comox Valley Record