TELUS is upgrading cell phone service between Houston and Smithers.
Last year they invested $675,000 to build a tower which covers 20.5 kilometres of Highway 16 from Olson Road east of Round Lake to Hungry Hill Way near Fisherman Lake, said Liz Sauvé, TELUS Media Relations.
This year, they're building a second tower at Barrett Lake, northwest of Houston to increase cell service for another 10 kilometres of Highway 16.
The towers are being built as part of an agreement TELUS made with the Province, promising to connect 1,700 kilometres of previously unconnected highways across B.C.
The Connecting British Columbia Agreement was signed in 2011 primarily to enhance the safety of travel on the roadways and provide 9-1-1 access, Sauvé said.
Last month, TELUS announced it will invest $2.8 billion dollars throughout B.C. over the next three years.
"As our home province, it’s our goal to make B.C. a leader in connectivity, and we’re working to bring our world-class technology to all corners of B.C.," Sauvé said.