Cell phone dead zone in Paul Lake, Pinantan area prompts calls for better service

“Billie (McLennan) called 9-1-1 and goodness, the ambulance was here in less than half an hour. But if I fell down the steps and broke my leg now, I’d be sitting on the floor for a long time,” notes McLennan. “She’d have to drive to the neighbours and make the call, I guess.”

McLennan and his wife have driven to the nearest spot with cell service to call their service provider and report the issue and were told it was going to be addressed. But as of Monday (Oct. 28), it’s been 12 days without any change.

“Well, they did send two different technicians up and they did determine there’s probably a break in the underground line again and they’re going to have to bring up a cable crew,” explains McLennan. “They said they’d do it as soon as they can, but we’re not sure.”

Note: Late this afternoon (Oct. 28), McLennan contacted CFJC to explain that a temporary repair had been completed which restored land line service for the time being.

Pinantan Lake and Paul Lake have gone without cell service for years and many people enjoy the privacy that can come with rural living. But some community members, like Kathy Storey, feel that numerous car accidents and other emergencies over the years mean it’s time for a better signal.

“[Paul Lake Road is] a race track to town. No matter how fast you go, somebody will want to pass you,” Storey says of the main road through their community. “It’s dangerous. There’s so many accidents on this road.”

Speaking with CFJC, Storey describes her worry about the poor phone connection potentially delaying an emergency response to a life-and-death situation.

Those concerns are echoed by Diane Carlson, a member of the East Paul Lake Volunteer Fire Department. She feels more consistent cellular coverage would make the community safer when first responders are needed at house fires, car accidents and other emergencies.

“There have been a lot of terrible accidents along the road. Again, limited cell service along the way,” Carlson reiterates. “But we’re doing the best we can. We do have first responders and usually someone has to find a land line to make the call.”

Carlson says land lines are helpful but periodically the power does go out and they lose connection. Stronger cell coverage is on the community’s improvement wish list, along with another emergency exit road.

The area has hundreds of residents, and in the summertime the population swells with visitors to Paul Lake Provincial Park and other recreational sites. If widespread cell tower coverage can’t be installed, Storey says she hopes that something can be done to at least get service to the provincial park area, which is another dead zone.

“I was told that you could phone 9-1-1 from anywhere in the world but I looked it up and it’s only certain cell phones that do that, and if the call drops, they can’t call you back,” she adds. “And you can’t call your family to tell them you’re okay so it’s a big problem.”

As for where to go from here, Storey says she plans to keep making service providers aware that there is a desire for expanded coverage in the area.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Cell phone dead zone in Paul Lake, Pinantan area prompts calls for better service

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