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Rogers offering free satellite connectivity to all B.C. customers amid wildfires

Rogers is also crediting internet, TV, and home phone services for evacuees

Rogers Satellite

Rogers is responding to the wildfires in B.C. by enabling its mobile-to-satellite service across the province for all Rogers wireless customers, businesses, and the government.

Typically, Rogers includes satellite service with 5G+ plans for a limited time, but it’s also available as a paid add-on starting at $10/mo for the first year, and $15/mo thereafter.

In an email to MobileSyrup, Rogers said it was making the service available as a pilot to see how the mobile-to-satellite tech can help during emergencies and natural disasters.

Rogers Satellite works using SpaceX’s Starlink system to offer wireless connectivity where traditional cell coverage isn’t available. The company says it can help keep customers connected in the event a tower goes down — for example, if it’s damaged by wildfires or if there’s a hydro outage.

The service supports text messaging and text-to-911 services, as well as select apps including WhatsApp, Google Maps, Accuweather, Facebook Messenger, X (formerly known as Twitter), and more. Rogers said the mobile-to-satellite tech can work outside and on bodies of water, as long as you can see the sky. You can use Rogers’ coverage map to see exactly where you can get satellite coverage.

Rogers says satellite service will work with most phones, but offers a tool on its website for checking device compatibility.

Along with enabling satellite, Rogers shared other efforts it’s doing to help people impacted by the wildfires. The carrier is matching donations to the Canadian Red Cross 2026 British Columbia Wildfires Appeal up to $100,000 — customers can text ROGERS to 20222 (FR: 30333) to donate $5 through their phones.

Further, Rogers said it’s automatically crediting Rogers internet, TV, and home phone services for customers who evacuated their homes through the duration of the evacuation period.

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