Media relations officials with Bell provided a statement and update on phone services in Calvin Township late Monday afternoon. The full statement reads:
“The severe storm on June 21 caused significant damage to Bell infrastructure in the region, impacting landline service and cutting power to a nearby Bell cell tower. Our crews were able to restore mobility service within a few days. However, several sections of copper cable servicing landlines for residents were significantly damaged, and these repairs have taken longer due to the extent of the damage and challenging conditions. All services have now been restored, and we appreciate the community’s patience as our crews worked to make these critical repairs.”
Earlier Monday, the Mayor of Calvin Township said landline phone service still hadn’t been restored in his community after the June 21 storm.
Mayor Richard Gould says cell phone coverage is also spotty, adding both he and the municipal office have reached out to Bell.
“You need to have a phone to contact them to tell them the phone doesn’t work,” he says. “The last time I contacted them was just yesterday (July 6) and they’re looking into it.”
Gould fired up a generator after the storm and is able to make and receive calls through Star Link.
He says changes are being made to ensure they have communications going forward.
“Our fire department is looking into new repeaters for their radios so they can depend on their own radio system more,” says Gould. “The municipal office has now purchased Star Link so they can use Star Link services instead of landline services.”
He says at one point when their fire department was in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park working to rescue and evacuate people, only some had cell phone coverage depending on their provider.
Gould adds drones looking for heat signatures of people in the park were impacted, as they rely on Internet data.
On a grander scale, he says companies and politicians need to consider everyone when it involves available services or legislation.
“Maybe in the future we need to have regulations and rules that are more applicable to the north and the south rather than just blanket across,” he says. “Either provide all the services or have different regulations.”
