Wireless has arrived -- discreetly -- in the wilderness, so roughing it in one of Canada's largest refuges no longer means being completely out of touch.
Bell Mobility has begun providing its 1X digital wireless service along the highway that runs through Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park, bringing civilization as close as a wireless text message, e-mail or phone call.
The new service means mobile workers can escape from the big city, but still be connected 24/7 -- within reason.
"I don't think you want to walk across a portage to see some guy standing there, making a phone call to his broker," explains park superintendent John Winters. "We have a radio ban in the interior of Algonquin Park for good reason."
Park authorities and nature lovers alike realize wireless service can help improve safety along a very remote stretch of Highway 60, yet they don't want the technology to affect what is a special refuge for thousands of people from around the world.
It's the first time that cellphone signals have been transmitted within the park's boundaries, and those involved say doing it properly was a challenge.
The solution has been a delicate balance between business interests and environmental concerns, along with years of negotiation, public consultation -- and simply easing fears.
"We respect what the park means to the general population," says Keith Ranney, Bell Mobility's director of wireless operations. "So we invested not just a lot more time, but money in making sure we didn't compromise that relationship."
The telecommunications company worked under some strict conditions set by the park. At the top of the list: no new towers -- period. That alone would be a deal-breaker in an urban setting, but Bell Mobility didn't walk away. Rather, it realized the Algonquin project would call for special equipment.
Bell Mobility installed "monopoles" about a third of the size of traditional 90-metre-tall cellphone towers. The monopoles act as antennas. Some are so unusual, you can't even tell what they really are.
Case in point: two flagpoles outside the park's west-gate visitor centre that double as wireless transmitters and receivers. Monopoles at four other new sites along Highway 60 provide just enough infrastructure to do the job.
"It's been a pretty unique design for us," Mr. Ranney said. "We've tried to stay within a minimum height to cover the areas that we needed, while not going too far above the tree line."
Bell Mobility is also using some existing towers in the park, including those owned by the CBC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Another challenge: the company wasn't allowed to install microwave transmitters, which relay cellphone calls and data transmissions to a central office before they're routed to their final destinations. So Bell Mobility laid fibre-optic line along the highway instead -- a costly and time-consuming project in itself.
Despite all the technology and effort, though, the new wireless signal in Algonquin won't go very far. The coverage area extends just three or four kilometres from the Highway 60 corridor through the park.
"We don't want it to be able to penetrate the interior," Mr. Winter noted. "We just don't want the nuisance calls."
Not all wireless users will be able to take advantage of the new service in the park. Rogers Wireless customers won't find a working signal in the park -- at least not yet.
"We're working with Bell to create a feasible agreement to co-locate on their sites at Algonquin Park as we do on their equipment, and they do on ours, at hundreds of sites across the country," said Heather Armstrong, an assistant vice-president for communications at Rogers Wireless.
Telus Mobility customers will be able to use Bell's 1X signal because of a roaming agreement between the two carriers. Fido says it does not offer service in Algonquin currently.
While cellphone service can potentially help save lives, Algonquin's superintendent realizes unprepared campers may use it as an easy way out of a miserable situation.
"The kind of thing you get is somebody saying 'We're in such and such lake. We didn't bring our rain gear and we're soaked. Can you come and get us?' " Mr. Winter said. "Well, from our perspective, you're going to have to be prepared for a wilderness back-country adventure," he added. "When you come to Algonquin Park, we aren't going to provide that kind of service."
Lost or soaking wet campers aside, park authorities are more concerned with the noise wireless devices would bring. Later this month, they plan to install signs reminding visitors to use proper cellphone etiquette.
"Treat this place like you would if you were going into a museum, a library or a play," Mr. Winter said. "Be respectful of other people and put your phone on vibrate mode."
