On Vancouver Island’s logging roads – the ones stretching into Nahmint Lake, over into Nitinaht and through the region’s dense coastal woodlands – forestry worker Harry Brossault is used to watching his cell signal disappear long before his work is done.
Vancouver Island’s old-growth forests are some of the most difficult to access in the province.
For Brossault, who often heads out before sunrise, staying connected matters, whether he’s at work or spending his off time in the rugged backcountry.
The day’s trek could lead him into the Walbran Valley or force him to spend the afternoon deep in the Island’s interior. That sense of being unreachable – disconnected – adds a layer of stress and unease to his already demanding workload.
“Working in forestry on Vancouver Island means I’m often in areas with no cell service,” Brossault says. “Rogers Satellite keeps me connected to my teenage daughters and serves as my main safety lifeline when working alone.”
Rogers Satellite gives Canadians a way to stay connected in places where traditional cell coverage is not available, up to the 58th parallel. In July, Rogers launched its satellite-to-mobile beta trial, making text messaging and text-to-911 available to all Canadians, regardless of their wireless carrier.
And with the service’s launch in December, popular satellite-ready apps, including WhatsApp, Google Maps, AccuWeather, X and CalTopo, are also now available. With these apps, customers can now make app-based voice calls, use mapping, check weather, and stay in touch outdoors using most modern smartphones where traditional cell coverage is not available.
86 per cent of Canadians say satellite-to-mobile would help provide
peace of mind where cell coverage is unavailable
With Rogers Satellite, Brossault can now travel along these logging roads with some peace of mind, knowing he can check in back home, identify his location or reach out for help if the weather turns nasty or his equipment breaks down.
“Having the service gives me the security I need to play safe in the back roads where devices often don’t work.”
Brossault’s experience is one many British Columbians share in a province that is filled with places where cell bars vanish long before the winding road does. That added capability offers an extra layer of safety without requiring pricey off-grid communications equipment like traditional satellite phones.
Bringing peace of mind to B.C. travellers
During the beta trial period, Canadians tested Rogers Satellite – sending over a million satellite text messages where coverage never existed before.
One of those beta trial participants was Chris Mushumanski.
Most weekends, Mushumanski is somewhere beyond the end of the road – fishing, camping or hiking in the lush backcountry around Vanderhoof. For him, losing cell service isn’t unusual. It’s just what you deal with living in the Central Interior.
Few people understand the realities of travelling off-grid better than Mushumanski. He’s not only familiar with B.C.’s terrain in the off-hours, but has spent nearly three decades responding to calls for B.C. Search and Rescue, assisting in a number of saves throughout the region. He’s seen firsthand how critical communication can be, and how often rescuers are working blind when no one can push a message out.
“With the addition of popular satellite-ready apps Rogers Satellite is transforming emergency preparedness,” Mushumanski said. “Adventurers can now use the same apps they rely on for navigation, checking maps and weather, and staying connected – even in areas without cell service. This technology makes it an indispensable tool for anyone heading off the grid.”
A survey conducted by Rogers reinforces this view. Eighty-six per cent of Canadians polled felt that satellite-to-mobile would help provide ‘peace of mind’ in instances where there is no cell coverage, while 89 per cent felt satellite-to-mobile would be useful when travelling through areas with no cell coverage.
The service has already proven its value. The first satellite-supported 911 text in Quebec was placed just days after beta trial launch.
For people like Brossault and Mushumanski, it’s one more tool to stay connected, share their location and call for help if or reach out for help if needed. For anyone spending time in areas where traditional cell coverage is not available, signing up offers a way to travel with confidence.
Rogers customers on select plans can enjoy Rogers Satellite at no additional cost for promotional periods. All Canadians can sign up for Rogers Satellite for $15/month, with beta trial participants receiving a $5/month discount for the first 12 months.
To learn more about Rogers Satellite, including information about service availability and limitations, visit rogers.com/satellite
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