Residents in Alonsa, Man., were without cell service while a deadly EF-4 tornado touched down in the rural municipality Friday night and Manitoba’s premier wants to know why.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Premier Brian Pallister said he spoke with residents while surveying the damage over the long weekend about poor cell service in the area, which left many unable to contact family and friends.
“I think the community deserves to get some answers,” he said.
Global News first reported the issue in July, after speaking to several residents who were raising safety concerns after cell service suddenly went dead at the beginning of June with no warning and few answers.
At the time, Bell MTS said it had been upgrading wireless sites in the area and that an antenna adjustment may have caused the issue. The company said it would be sending technicians to the area by mid-July.
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Tuesday, Bell MTS told Global News it has been upgrading service in the area but “some pockets in the region may have seen reduced coverage; we’re looking at solutions to restore full service in these areas.”
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The telecommunications company did not say if technicians were in the area to investigate the issue.
Pallister said he hopes to get answers in the next couple days.
“I would like to see the service back, for the people of that area, for their safety,” he said.
“I want to understand what the reasons are.”
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