A new Rogers cell tower has been installed at Delta Beach, marking a major improvement for residents and visitors who’ve long struggled with unreliable coverage across the southern tip of Lake Manitoba.
Delays and construction timeline
Rick Henderson, a longtime resident, says the tower is a welcome change after years of weak signal and stalled progress.
“Oh, it's been horrible,” Henderson notes. “I use a cell booster in the house here, but even sometimes it is not great.”
He says construction was supposed to begin last year, but work only got underway this season.
“They started working on it a month or more ago,” Henderson adds. “They said it was going to be operational in September.”
According to Henderson, residents were notified by letter from Rogers in advance due to the proximity of nearby properties.
“I figured something was happening out there—drilling holes in the marsh, hauling gravel for the base. So it must be going to happen,” he says.
A critical tool for safety and rescue
Henderson emphasizes the practical benefits of improved reception for those living near or boating on the lake.
“If somebody needs to get rescued, I see lots of people park on the highway just to get reception,” he says. “If you start heading out of Delta, once you get three miles away, you lose it again until you're back on Highway 240.”
He believes the new tower will make a big difference.
“This will definitely help,” Henderson continues. “With a big tower like that, it should have a long range.”
Added benefits for navigation and marine activity
In addition to communication, the new tower may serve as a navigational aid on the water.
“Now it’ll have a marker light on the top,” says Henderson. “So if you get lost in a snowstorm, or even in the summertime if you’re late in the boat, you’ll be able to see that from quite a distance.”
He recalls relying on a radio tower from Highway 227 as a kid for the same reason.
“You could see those lights forever on the lake,” he says.
A welcome improvement, even beyond wireless
While Henderson admits the navigational benefits may not have been on the company’s radar, he believes the tower will provide more value than Rogers ever anticipated.
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